Effects of Stress during Infancy on Tumor Development and Tumor Growth

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Abstract
A number of investigators have reported that stressing a variety of mammals by repeated electric shocks resulted in decreased resistance to cancer-producing agents, as well as an increase in the rate of development of spontaneous tumors. Other investigators have reported the opposite findings. By-and-large, however, these studies have lacked adequate controls and have depended on results from small groups of subjects. We used sufficiently large groups to minimize sampling error. Rigid controls were instituted and each study was repeated at least twice to check the reliability of the findings. Mice and rats were stressed for short periods daily by electric shock to the body surface or convulsive shock to the brain. The stress treatments were given during early infancy (birth to weaning) or for an equal period during young adulthood (Days 24 to 47). Tumors were either transplanted or induced by chemical or viral agents. Out results failed to support the reports of other investigators that stress applied to the infant or young adult organism alters its susceptibility to develop cancer.