Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-02
THE MIND AND CANCER
BV H. AddinotOn Bruce

ORE and more inSlstently the thOught
MI comes to me that if the cancer prob
lem ever is to be solved it may be
through close study of the part possibly
played by emotional strain and conflict as
a predisposing or contrbutbry factor in the
development of malignant groWths
Certainly in view of the known action of
distressing mental states on bodily processes
this possibility would seem to merit serious
consideration by cancer Investigators.
AS shown by Payloff, Cannon and other
psychologists, such emotions and sentiments
as fear, worry, grief, anger, rage, envy, Jeal-
ousy, and shame profoundly affect the work
ings of vital organs. Through their influences
there may be established a notwithstanding
so severe as to lead to grave disabilities OF
the heart, stomach, kidneys and other or
gans.
In particular, experimental research goes
to show, emotional disturbances influence
adversely the glands of internal secretion,
those diminutive but potent regulators Oh
the vital activity. 1t certainly is not beyond
the limits of conceivabilty that emotiona.
arrangement Of glandular action may, by it
self or in combination with other factors,
cause the occurrence of cancer.
Only short while ago, attending a meo-
zeal convention, | heard an eminent New
York physician describe case Of suggestive
significance in this connection.
1t was the of woman afflicted with
lameness supposed to be of hysterical
origin. She undoubtedly a psycho-neu-
rotfc, but X-ray examination showed that the
lameness was due to bony growth.
At the same time the poor woman in
such nervous condition that treatment TO
give her greater emotional control seemed
imperatively needed. Presently the discovery
was made that her nervousness had it's
roots in domestic trouble. Various means
were taken to help her react to this less
violently and at the same time to lessen the
occurrence of her unhappiness.
Gradually her nervousness diminished, and
at the same time surprising fact was no.
ticed. X-ray pictures began to show, and
continued to show, an appreciable reduction
in the size of the bony growth that had been
gripping her, the lameness becoming less
and less as the growth decreased.
The coincidence may, of course, be one of
chance alone. Assuredly, though it suggests
that inquiry might well be made with re-
gard to the presence absence of severe
emotional stresses in the life of persons at
tackled by cancer, and the degree of em~-
tional control previously displayed by them.
Casting back In memory through the list
of acquaintance of my who have sue
cumbed to cancer I recall few who have not
had some great emotional shock shortly be-
fore the cancerous growth made its appear
ance. Again one must recognize the posi-
bility of mere chance coincidence But one
cannot help wondering.
1t is notorious that, despite marked ad-
vances in diagnosis and treatment, cancer
has of late years been steadily increasing.
1t is equally notorious that, with the ever
greater completely of modern life, causes of
emotional stress have multiplied while no
special effort has been made to fit men and
women through training to withstand emv
tional stress.
Hence, bearing in mind the already es-
tablished influence of emotional disturbances
on the bodily health, it seems indeed justr-
fable suspicion that in many cases the men.
tai state may have much to do with the on>
set of cancer. In which event, manifestly,
fL.nN L1ao
to some extent problem of more effective
education for character and for self-mastery,