Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Doctor Reveals The 'Common Theme' She Sees In Cancer Patients In Eye-Opening Viral TikTok

Screenshots from Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy's TikTok video
@connealymd/TikTok

Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy pinpointed common factors that she claims have led patients to be more susceptible to cancer, including intense trauma and stress.



Let's be honest: We all get stressed sometimes, and as much as we might try to avoid them, we all go through some exceptionally stressful times. From job changes to big moves to tremendous amounts of grief, stress just annoyingly is a part of the human condition, it seems.

But Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy wants to caution all of us that our experiences with stress and how we process that stress is much more important to our physiology than we might realize.

Dr. Connealy follows the studies of Bessel van der Kolk, who is best known for his book, The Body Keeps the Score, to a tee. The basic premise of the book is that our bodies literally keep a "score" of our harsher experiences, and how we did or did not work through those stressful experiences.

We might have noticed that we got a bad cough one time when putting in extra hours at work, or right before we were going to visit family across the country, or annoyingly mid-move to a new country. Each of these examples is a stressful experience for us, and sometimes that stress is expressed through illness.

Unfortunately, our bodies keep a score of those illnesses, as well. Over time, our bodies take our growing "scores" and might rework our physiology to accommodate what our bodies believe to be our natural stress state. This can lead to higher cortisol levels, weight gain, more anxious and depressive episodes, and more.

But most importantly, Dr. Connealy points out, it can lead to cancer.

In a thorough and heartfelt precautionary TikTok video, Dr. Connealy explains:

“A common theme that I see in patients regularly is that they have usually suffered some very, very stressful event."
"It could be extreme work conditions. It may be a child, it might be a parent, it might be a divorce, but they usually have gone under some extreme stress, which we know affects the whole hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the cortisol production. And extreme cortisol production is contributing to the way cancer grows and proliferates."

Essentially, whether we have cancer or not, our stressful experiences are making us sicker, and if we aren't careful to practice positive self-regulatory exercises and minimize our external stressors, we're more likely to experience more significant illnesses than just a common cold.

You can watch the video here:

@connealymd

New research suggests that high cortisol and stress hormones play a key role in the development of cancer, metastasis, and increase the risk of recurrence. An excess of these hormones may be directly carcinogenic by suppressing immune function, promoting inflammation, and inhibiting normal cell function. Treating and mitigating stress should be a top priority when treating cancer. Stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, increase in response to perceived stressors. They play a role in the "fight or flight" response and help mobilize energy reserves, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and sharpen focus to cope with immediate threats. Stress hormones are absolutely necessary because they enable the body to respond effectively to stressful situations and ensure our survival. Tips: Spend time in natural light shortly after waking up & get adequate sunlight Ensure adequate intake of necessary nutrients, especially protein, fat soluble vitamins, B vitamins, vitamin C minerals, etc. Balance hormones Get enough sleep for your body Limit toxin exposure Practice gratitude & mindfulness Hug and spend time with loved ones Take frequent walks in nature Find ways to express your creativity

In the caption of her video, Connealy explained:

"New research suggests that high cortisol and stress hormones play a key role in the development of cancer, metastasis, and increase the risk of recurrence. An excess of these hormones may be directly carcinogenic by suppressing immune function, promoting inflammation, and inhibiting normal cell function."

"Treating and mitigating stress should be a top priority when treating cancer. Stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, increase in response to perceived stressors. They play a role in the 'fight or flight' response and help mobilize energy reserves, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and sharpen focus to cope with immediate threats."

"Stress hormones are absolutely necessary because they enable the body to respond effectively to stressful situations and ensure our survival."

"Tips: Spend time in natural light shortly after waking up and get adequate sunlight. Ensure adequate intake of necessary nutrients, especially protein, fat-soluble vitamins, B vitamins, vitamin C minerals, etc."

"Balance hormones. Get enough sleep for your body. Limit toxin exposure. Practice gratitude and mindfulness. Hug and spend time with loved ones. Take frequent walks in nature. Find ways to express your creativity."

Some were suddenly concerned for all of their fellow TikTokers.

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

Others agreed with Dr. Connealy's logic about stress and cancer.

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

@connealymd/TikTok

Fortunately, Dr. Connealy had some good news for us in another video.

Though it was geared specifically toward current cancer patients and patients in remission, Dr. Connealy shared a critical point that we could all apply to our own health journeys.

Dr. Connealy states:

"There is no finish line to health. You should always optimize your health."

Whether we're already in pretty tiptop condition or feel like we couldn't do one pushup right now if we tried, we still have time to improve our physical health, and even when we get started, there are always we could improve or refine our health journeys.

Some fun ways might be to try walking down a new path during our daily walk, trying out a new recipe, or trying out a new meditation. Each of these are new and different approaches to improving our health, but as long as we are working at it, we are heading in the right direction.

The same can be said for our mental health, our emotional regulation, and our stress levels.

@connealymd

Health is a continuous journey, not a destination reached by a single effort. Completing chemotherapy or radiation treatment doesn't signal the conclusion of the path; rather, it signifies a transition to the next phase. After treatment, the journey of preserving and enhancing one's health persists. Here’s to a stronger, healthier life.

This whole conversation is an eye-opening reminder of how important it is to avoid stressful situations when possible, practice our bodily and emotional self-regulation, and to involve ourselves in relaxing and rejuvenating activities.

Now if you'll please excuse us...we're going to go stress over how much stress is too much stress.

More from Trending

Steve Martin and Diane Keaton
Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Steve Martin Shares Hilariously Poignant Tributes To Beloved Late Costar Diane Keaton

On October 11, 2025, Father of the Bride's Diane Keaton passed away at the age of 79, survived by her adopted children, Dexter and Duke.

Keaton broke into the entertainment business in the 1970s, first as Diane Hall, but since there was already a Diane Hall in the business, she reintroduced herself, using her mother's maiden name, as Diane Keaton.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images

Trump Accuses 'Time' Magazine Of Using Worst Photo Of Him 'Of All Time' For Gaza Peace Deal Cover

President Donald Trump accused Time magazine of using a bad photo of him for their cover celebrating his brokered peace deal in Gaza, saying that while the publication "wrote a relatively good story about me," the picture chosen for the magazine cover "may be the Worst of All Time."

The cover features Trump gazing upward, illuminated by sunlight, with the headline “His Triumph” underneath. The accompanying story hails the peace agreement as “a signature achievement” and “a strategic turning point for the Middle East.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Chris Colfer; Lea Michele

Bruce Glikas/WireImage; Craig Barritt/Variety via Getty Images

Chris Colfer Offers Hilarious Mic Drop Response After He's Asked To Confirm If Lea Michele Can Read

If you've been anywhere near the internet the last few years you've surely heard the rumor that controversial Glee alum and Broadway star Lea Michele can't read.

Well, her Glee costar Chris Colfer has finally weighed in on the topic, and his response was one for the ages.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charlie Kirk; screenshot of 5th grade homework assignment from
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; @neeltheillest/TikTok

5th Grade Teacher's Homework Packet About Charlie Kirk Has Parents Outraged

The continued deification—extreme form of veneration or idolization—of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk has reached 5th grade classrooms, or so it seems if a recent TikTok video is to be believed.

TikTok user @neeltheillest shared what they claimed was a child's homework assignment from an unnamed teacher at an unnamed elementary school in the Los Angeles area according to a hashtag on the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Viral Photo Of Trump With Golden Sconce Behind Him Gives Fittingly Devilish Optical Illusion

President Donald Trump is perhaps the most polarizing man in the world, loved intensely by his core base and sympathizers, and downright unpopular and even hated by those who see him as a threat to democracy at home and abroad.

Trump is also perhaps the most photographed man on Planet Earth and a picture by Getty Images photographer Jim Watson captured the president in a Cabinet meeting on Thursday with a golden wall sconce perfectly placed behind his head to give him devil horns.

Keep ReadingShow less