UNIC research reveals strong link between chronic stress and cancer risk

A recent study led by Professor Vered Aharonson, Programme Lead for Digital Healthcare at UNIC Medical School, and Dr Teddy Lazebnik, Assistant Professor at the University of Haifa’s Department of Information Systems, found that people who suffer from prolonged stress are more likely to report having received a cancer diagnosis.

The researchers surveyed 1,318 participants from over 30 countries, collecting data on familial cancer history, stress factors, and self-reported cancer status. Using machine learning and causal modelling, they explored connections between chronic psychological stress and cancer occurrences. Causal modelling represents a sophisticated analytical approach that goes beyond traditional statistical methods. These computational models are designed to understand cause-and-effect relationships between factors, explaining how different variables work together to influence outcomes. Unlike simple correlation studies that only demonstrate when two things occur together, causal modelling aims to explain how and when one factor actually causes changes in another. The analysis revealed significant correlations between stress frequency, stress level, perceived health impact, and cancer incidence. While stress alone had limited predictive power, combining it with socio-demographic and family history data significantly enhanced predictive accuracy.

‘Our study shows that cancer risk isn’t determined solely by genetics or lifestyle, but also by how people experience and perceive stress’, said Prof Aharonson. ‘Our findings demonstrate that prolonged stress has tangible health implications, strengthening the case for integrating stress-reduction strategies into prevention programmes’.