Abstract
Radiation causes DNA damage, increases risk of cancer, and is associated with psychological stress responses. This article proposes an evidence-based integrative model in which psychological factors could interact with radiation by either augmenting or moderating the adverse effects of radiation on DNA integrity and eventual tumorigenesis. Based on a review of the literature, we demonstrate the following: (1) the effects of low-dose radiation exposures on DNA integrity and on tumorigenesis; (2) the effects of low-dose radiation exposure on psychological distress; (3) the relationship between psychological factors and DNA damage; and (4) the possibility that psychological stress augments and that psychological resource variables moderate radiation-induced DNA damage and risk of cancer. The additional contribution of psychological processes to radiation-DNA damage-cancer relationships needs further study, and if verified, has clinical implications.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1-16 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Psychology, Health and Medicine |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cancer
- DNA damage
- Environmental radiation
- Psychological stress
- Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Applied Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health