Effects of Stress on Colorectal Cancer and Related Medications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the highest commonly diagnosed cancers globally. Meanwhile, with the acceleration of modern life rhythms, people's mental health is deteriorating. This article aims to explore the connection between mental stress and the genesis and development of CRC as well as discuss relevant medications. Through literature analysis, it is found that chronic stress has capacity of triggering not only the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) but also the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, giving rise to enhanced levels of cortisol and catecholamines, which promotes tumor and angiogenesis metastasis, resulting in the genesis and development of CRC through all kinds of mechanisms, including dysbiosis of intestinal flora, triggering of inflammatory responses, and stimulation of colorectal epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, stress-related behavioral changes, such as dietary habits, may cause an increased risk of cancer. In terms of drug research, beta-blockers such as propranolol and antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have shown certain anti-CRC potential. In conclusion, new approaches to CRC prevention and treatment have been developed with the help of a thorough comprehending of the link between mental stress and the disease as well as the enhancement of CRC patients' quality of life.