The Stress and Cancer Link: ‘Master-Switch’ Stress Gene Enables Cancer’s Spread

http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/ATF3.htm

Ohio State University
8/22/2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio – In an unexpected finding, scientists have linked the activation of a stress gene in immune-system cells to the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body.

Researchers say the study suggests this gene, called ATF3, may be the crucial link between stress and cancer, including the major cause of cancer death – its spread, or metastasis. Previous public health studies have shown that stress is a risk factor for cancer.

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