 Figure 1.0: Rawpixel. PSD Aesthetic Flower Instagram Story. Rawpixel, https://www.rawpixel.com/image/7024779/psd-aesthetic-flower-instagram-story. Accessed 10 June 2025. Throughout our lives, some experiences carry more weight than others. People say it takes 3 seconds for everything around you to change – for you to start viewing everything differently. Those 3 seconds of my life were hearing that my beloved grandmother had been diagnosed with cancer. A moment that arrived unexpectedly yet left a scar that only time could heal. The word cancer itself held more power over us than any reports. Throughout our lives, the only thing associated with cancer was pain and suffering. Our family didn’t fear cancer because we understood it fully but because of how it was perceived in society. Cancer, over the past 200 million years, has meant a frightening and puzzling set of diseases causing detrimental changes within all living beings. The agents of destruction in cancer, unlike other diseases and sicknesses, are our own human cells that are transformed into oncogenes – also called cancer-causing genes. These so-called “transformations” are carried out by cancer-causing agents. This includes biological, physical and chemical components like viruses, UV radiation exposure, etc. Over the years, we have come to know of various forms of cancers that are classified on the basis of their origin. For example, carcinoma is a type of cancer that arises in epithelial cells; sarcoma originates in connective or supportive tissues; leukaemia is caused in blood-forming tissues (bone marrow); and the list goes on. Despite rapid innovations in the fields of technology and scientific research, our ability to understand various forms of cancer and their origins continues to develop. Although a definitive cure remains a mystery. As new types of cancers continue to emerge and existing ones take more complex forms, the challenge of finding the ideal combat strategy persists. In the past few years, there have been rapid enhancements in developing early detection machines and targeted therapies. Yet cancer, to this date, remains one of the most formidable health issues worldwide. The form of cancer that my grandmother was diagnosed with is called glioblastoma. This form of cancer is one of the most aggressive and malignant brain tumours originating in the glial cells. It’s known for its rapid growth, resistance to treatment and tendency to infiltrate surrounding brain tissues, making surgical measures difficult as well. Instinctively, our family’s initial understanding came from the internet sources. Unfortunately, a simple web search reveals that this type of cancer is labelled as incurable. It was stated that the median length of survival of glioblastoma patients after a diagnosis is 15-18 months. Another study in Neuro-Oncology Advances concluded the survival rates for one year, two years and five years were 38.6%, 7.6%, and 1%, respectively. All sources we turned to revealed the same fate. The statistics and facts didn’t shout; they almost echoed. There was no sign of hope, just a losing battle. But what if we’re only sharing one side of the story? What if, in the midst of statistics and survival facts, we are missing the human will to fight? We often say that hope is the guiding factor of life. Perhaps it is also the key to fighting cancer. The disease itself may be detrimental, but the story doesn’t have to come to an end without putting up a good fight. A study conducted by Stanford University School of Medicine caters to demonstrate that while treatments like chemotherapy can have toxic effects on different parts of your body, like the heart, negative mindsets may be equally toxic for the patient's long-term journey. Mindsets and styles of thinking assist in making sense of complex states and motivate healthy behaviours. The deep-rooted values and beliefs of a patient about suffering and the healing process of cancer directly influence their psychological and behavioural state. Studies by placebo and neuroimmune activation cater to show that eventually, these factors influence the outcome of the patient’s journey. Marcus Aurelius suggests that while we cannot control external events, we can control our response to them. It is crucial to allow the patient to fight their own battle. The cognitive shift of having hope reduces psychological suffering and helps in enhancing engagement and emotional regulation during treatment. It was Frankl, in his theory of logotherapy, who argued that meaning-making is the primary motivational force in humans even when put in unfavourable circumstances. In such cases, a patient with cancer is encouraged to find a deep-rooted goal to work towards, like sharing their story or simply deciding to fight another day. The ambition to achieve the goal itself becomes a psychological anchor, navigating through the struggles of the body. Now focusing on a scientific perspective, emerging research caters to showing that the way of thinking of a patient can be directly linked with health outcomes of the nervous and immune systems. Initially, when my grandmother was encouraged to start doing meditation, it would often confuse me. When I researched more about it, I came to realise that the emergence of a tumour, its rapid progression, and the process of cancer growth are often affected by stress. This is normally regulated by norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol – also known as the “big three” hormones. Our body’s response to any sickness can be categorised in terms of cellular and molecular components. One relevant factor is the protective immune response that assists in eliminating infections and cancers, enables tumour immune-based treatments and mediates the body’s early response against cancer. In cancer, it’s important for the immune system to remove cancers that naturally trigger a response or tumours that have been made easier for the body to recognise and attack. Numerous studies report that chronic stress suppresses protective immunity. The “big three” hormones and steroid hormones are stressors that interfere with the pathway of protective immunity. Thus, it is said that chronic stress suppresses the functioning of the body’s immune response by decreasing immune cell redistribution between different parts of the body. Furthermore, studies have catered to demonstrate that different types of advanced-stage cancers can be influenced by ongoing stress over a long period of time. For example, when my mother spoke to cancer specialists, they would often emphasise how patients who experience higher levels of daily stress and symptoms of depression – induced by oneself or their environment – tend to have a weaker immune system. Specifically, their body is unable to fight infections and diseases, which makes recovering from cancer very difficult. Another postulate to focus on is that a weaker immune system also makes it harder for one to tolerate chemotherapy. This treatment is already extremely difficult on one’s body. Having a weak immune system makes the body more vulnerable to the side effects of chemotherapy. Patients with poor immune responses are likely to face excruciating side effects like fatigue and infections and require longer recovery time between treatment cycles. This can lead to delays or changes in the treatment plan, which may affect the overall effectiveness of the therapy. On the other hand, having a more positive mindset encourages the body to have stronger immune responses that help the body recover more quickly, manage the side effects better and not experience any delays in the required treatments. Hence, peace of mind and physical health are both essential factors when facing a disease like cancer. One case study highlights the direct impact of chronic stress on patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The study suggests that patients who experience less anxiety after surgery tend to show stronger immune activity. This is because their body produces helpful micromolecules like IL-2 that support the growth and survival of important immune cells in the body. A higher level of IL-2 indicates that the immune cells are activated efficiently and the body is able to build stronger protection. Therefore, this caters to show that mental well-being is vital in physical recovery. With the enhancements in cancer care, one thing is prominently clear: healing is not solely done by the medium of surgery or biological process. It also requires a will to fight and emotional transformation. While treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation remain the most proactive solutions for treating cancer, the mind-body connection proves to be a powerful driving force. So, while cancer begins in our body, the journey of the patient is dictated by the mind. Looking back at my grandmother’s battle, it is clear that when we stop looking at cancer as a “losing battle” and choose to view it as a “challenge that must be encountered with resilience”, we restore hope. Today, my grandmother remains with us, completely cured from the disease that doctors themselves called incurable. That is all the proof I need to know that our mind is way stronger than we perceive and that hope is the medicine that our body prescribes.Sana Arora is a student at Plaksha University pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Technology. With a keen interest in biology and a passion for innovation, she aims to blend scientific research with entrepreneurial strategy to drive impact. Sana is determined to work at the intersection of healthcare, business, and consultation. IS IT CANCER OR THE THOUGHT OF CANCER THAT DESTROYS US? | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com |
