Paper Title
“Understanding Stress as a Mediator of Cancer Cell Growth in Women”

Abstract
This paper presents the role of stress in enhancing cancer cell growth in women, focusing on their perceptions of how stress may influence the development and progression of cancer. Cancer cell etiologies are multi- factorial and complex. Structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 40 women diagnosed with cancer, using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. Participants overwhelmingly believed that significant life stressors, such as bereavement and financial difficulties, contributed to the onset of their cancer, with 60% attributing stress as a key trigger. A majority (55%) also perceived that chronic stress exacerbated cancer progression, citing emotional distress related to treatment, prognosis uncertainty, and the psychological burden of living with cancer. Many participants speculated that stress might affect cancer cell growth through immune suppression, particularly through the release of stress hormones like cortisol, though only 40% felt confident about a biological link. However, there was variability in how participants understood the relationship between stress and cancer, with some attributing their illness to genetic or environmental factors. Stress is seen as a significant factor, its role in cancer development and progression is likely influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Further research is needed to confirm these perceptions and explore underlying mechanisms. Keywords – Stress, Cancer, Tumor Growth, Neuroendocrine Stress Response, Perceived stress