Personality types and breast cancer development

Personality types and breast cancer development

For several decades, psychologists have been trying to figure out whether personality type plays a role in the development of cancer. Though the picture is far from clear, a few clues have emerged. Two characteristics seem common among women with breast cancer: avoidance of conflict, and denial of feelings. When these two characteristics are combined with stressful life events such as separation and loss, they may contribute to the likelihood of breast cancer. Of course, many people who have difficulty expressing emotion will never develop cancer, but learning to deal with and air a range of feelings is good for all of us, lowering risk of disease being just one of many benefits.

Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Cancer, Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine.