Cancer Research New Discovery: Our body is not limited to just breathing or digesting food, but runs according to an internal clock. The brain automatically controls when to be active during the day and when to rest at night. This system is called circadian rhythm. But now scientists have discovered that cancer gradually spoils this natural system also. This is the reason why many cancer patients feel constant fatigue, sleep problems and weakness. A recent study has revealed that cancer affects the part of the brain that controls the body’s stress hormones and immune system. This discovery is also considered important because with it the methods of cancer treatment can be further improved.
Connection of cancer and stress hormones
Scientists found in experiments conducted on rats that breast cancer affects the fluctuations of a particular hormone in the body. The name of this hormone is corticosterone, which is the main stress hormone in rats. Generally its level varies according to day and night. Its level is different in the morning and different at night. This change keeps the body in balance.
But when breast cancer cells were inserted into the bodies of mice, this natural rhythm started weakening within a few days. The surprising thing was that even before the tumor became visible, the hormone pattern became flat by about 40 to 50 percent. That means there is no difference in the hormone levels of morning and night.
The same effect is seen in humans also
It was told in the study that the same effect has been seen in humans also. Cancer patients in whom the day-night difference in stress hormones disappears, have more fatigue. The immune system of such patients also becomes weak. The activity of the body’s natural killer cells that fight cancer cells decreases. Along with this, the work of T cells is also not done properly.
Research also revealed that in patients whose hormonal rhythm becomes completely flat, breast, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer grow more rapidly and their quality of life also deteriorates.
Which part of the brain goes wrong?
According to scientists, an important part of the brain called hypothalamus is involved in this entire process. This part is part of the system that controls stress hormones. In the presence of cancer, some neurons of the hypothalamus become excessively active. Due to this, the natural release pattern of hormones gets disturbed and the balance of the body starts getting disturbed.
Benefit received from stimulation at the right time
The most interesting part of this research is that the scientists stimulated these neurons at the right time. When these neurons were activated as the mice transitioned from day to night, the natural rhythm of stress hormones resumed. This had a direct impact on the immune system. Cancer fighting cells became more active and tumor growth also reduced.
The special thing is that this effect was seen without any anti-cancer medicine. That is, only by correcting the natural clock of the body, cancer was affected.
Why doesn’t work happen at wrong times?
Scientists also observed that if the same stimulation is done at the wrong time, then there is no benefit. This clearly means that it is not only important what is being done for the body, but when it is being done is equally important. Having hormonal rhythm at the right time makes the immune system strong.
New path of treatment in future
Researchers believe that in future, with the help of this discovery, cancer treatment can be made more effective. If the body’s day-night clock is kept correct, then existing treatments can work better and side effects can also be reduced. This method can be especially beneficial for those patients who feel more tired and weak during treatment.
Why is this discovery special?
This study makes it clear that cancer is not just a tumor disease, but it affects the entire body system. Brain, hormones and immune system are all interconnected. If their balance deteriorates, the disease can become more serious. This discovery of scientists can give a new perspective to the treatment of cancer in the coming times, where along with medicines, emphasis will also be given on maintaining the natural rhythm of the body.
