Active against cancer: What influence do the psyche and immune system have?

The body's immune system is a true miracle: every day it fends off thousands of hostile pathogens and keeps us healthy. It is also active against cancer, because mutated cells attack us every day - but a healthy immune system recognizes these cells immediately and destroys them without delay. But sometimes the immune system is unable to do this: because it is weakened, because the cancer cells are hiding, because a faulty cell divides too quickly. But what role do the immune system and the psyche play in the fight against cancer?

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via Sabrina
05/02/2018, 17:41
Helferzellen des Immunsystems greifen eine Krebszelle an.© fotolia
Helper cells of the immune system attack a cancer cell.

Cancer immunotherapy

However, scientists have high hopes for cancer immunotherapy. Even if it is not entirely new: 100 years ago, the Bonn surgeon Wilhelm Busch discovered a connection between the immune system and cancer. Research into this is continuing - and there are successes: black skin cancer and lung cancer can be treated with drugs that activate the immune system in such a way that the helper cells recognize the malignant tumour cells and render them harmless.

Psyche

Mental balance has long been underestimated by experts: patients feel better when they have support, when someone listens to them and they overcome their fears together. This also activates the immune system.

Be active yourself

We can support our immune system. For example, by counteracting debilitating stress with relaxation exercises and sport. And getting enough sleep: the immune system stores information about pathogens during deep sleep. Plus a sensible diet with lots of vegetables and little sugar.