Stress and Cancer

I have read many articles that indicate cats are very sensitive to stress and in some cases a very stressful or traumatic event can cause cancer.  Over the years I have noticed a few cats developed lymphoma shortly after moving into a new home.  It happened with my boyfriend's 13 year old when we moved from AZ to CO 3 years ago.  My boyfriend lived in CO for many years and took a job in AZ (where we met) and when the contract was up and it was time for him to move back home he asked me if I wanted to come.  We had been together for over a year and BooBoo just adores him and I thought let me give it a try.  Well that was 3 years ago and my allergies are so bad they might have to put me on pred because nothing else is working and I suffer horribly for at least 6 months out of the year.  I am considering moving back to AZ and Danny will join us after he secures a job.  However, I am extremely worried, at 12 years old, this move might be too much for BooBoo.  When I first rescued her 12 years ago I was living in OR and my doctor recommended that I leave the state because my allergies where so bad so I took a job in AZ and BooBoo traveled along in her carrier since she likes car rides.  That was in 2005 and she was much younger.  She did just fine when we relocated from AZ to CO in 2008 but again she was a bit younger.  If there is any chance at all she could become ill from the move I will just stay here and suffer through it even if I have to take pred.  I would rather be sick then risk her health.

Does anyone else find there is a link between stress and cancer in cats.  Also, has anyone made an out of state move with a senior kitty and things went fine?

My cat Candy was diagnosed with lymphoma in her kidneys in April, and she passed away shortly after.

I don't believe that stress would have any link with cancer. Candy was absolutely stress free. She lived with her younger companion, Cookie, but she often groomed Cookie and wasn't stressed about sharing her home with her.

Honestly, no one knows what causes cancer. If they did it would be easier to cure. Candy moved several times when she was around 8, and she passed at 13. Moving didn't cause Candy any turmoil though, she was quick to claim her new home and was very enthusiastic about exploring.

Moving certainly can cause stress in cats, though. It may not cause cancer, but it could cause other conditions to develop because of kitty's stress levels. The best way to ensure a move though is to buy some Feliway diffusers and plug them in all over the new home. Also, add some Rescue Remedy to kitty's water. It's all natural and relieves anxiety in cats.

Hope the move goes well and BooBoo enjoys her new home!

Stress definitely doesn't cause cancer. Genetics, toxins in food/the environment, especially if combined with chronic inflammation - just like in people - that's what causes cancer. Stress may trigger events that impact the cancer - but the cancer would already have had to be there. :nod:

I think if she handled the moves fine before, she will this time too. :heart3: As kittylover says, you can use things like Feliway spray and Rescue Remedy, perhaps a calming collar, to help minimize the stress. But sounds like she'd handle the move just fine.

Thanks guys that makes me feel better.  When you say chronic inflammation what exactly would that be?  Overall she is healthy but recently she has been having problems with allergies.  Even the Pug is itching and scratching, personally I think we will all be better off without the grass and pollen.  

The move isn't absolutely happening just yet since I am looking for work in AZ before I move.  The economy is a little sketchy there still and I want to be sure everything will go smoothly.  I would fly down and find a place, have everything set up and fly back.  We would drive there since I refuse to to vaccinate BooBoo so she can't fly.

Chronic inflammation is usually caused by diet. In my kitty, it was ulcers. In others, it's IBD, or IBS. A grain-free, wet food diet that is low-carb, with as few additives and veggies as possible is the best diet for a kitty. http://www.catinfo.org Using a probiotic to help ensure healthy gut flora, and a fish-based (salmon oil or krill) omega 3 supplement will help further boost the immune system (the omega 3 will help offset the high omega 6s they get from ANY primarily meat-based diet).

Hi Diane, I don't know if you are still in this forum, but I just came across it while searching for opinions on stressor factors that may "cause" or affect a cat with cancer. My furrybaby Kisses has GI lymphoma and has been in treatment for what's going to be 4 yrs next March. She has done great all this time in just Chlorambucil and Prednisolone. As you, when this first started and I went crazy researching online, I came across multiple medical papers that do mention what are thought to be possible causes of cancer; of course as with humans no one knows for sure. One factor, being stress brought on by new family member (human or furry), moving into a new home, etc. While this is a medical opinion and not a fact from the veterinary community, I must state that Kisses' first symptoms (weightloss) where noticed (and I am a freak that notices everything about her!), in December 2011, 3 months after we moved into our current home. So, when I read that after her diagnosis, I could not help but feel like they might be onto something with the stress theory. The reason for my latest research which brought me across your post, is that my husband and I have been considering building a new home, but are completely reluctant given what occurred last time. I don't know if I am being paranoid but given our experience, it seems like a fact that we shouldn't ignore and truly consider. She is doing so well, and testing a theory at the expense of her health is something I would never do. Just wondering if you ever found out any other opinions or if you've had any additional experience with this. Thanks!

We recently moved home. Our cat had lived in the previous home with us since she was a few months old. After being here about 2 - 2 1/2 months, she developed a carcinoma, an aggressive cancer in her stomach. She was 13 years, almost 14, just 2 months shy of being 14. She was perfectly happy when we moved, she loved sitting on the stairs, she was playful, we had no indication of stress. She was extremely well loved, taken to the vet at the first sign of trouble, lodged in a cattery (the same one all her life) when we went away. She was fed the proper food, a science diet (Hills) and only given water. She could not have been more loved or cared for. It just seems so coincidental that she got cancer soon after we moved and died.

Interesting... this didn't even occur to me when my cat received her cancer dx this past February.

Last April I moved to Florida. My cat moved with me and all seemed fine. I adopted 2 more cats while I was there. In August I moved to South Carolina, bringing my cat + The two kittens. In December my cat started to limp and slowly lose weight. Her behavior changed and she hid a lot. She's always been shy, but this was increasing. We were fighting fleas and worms so I thought she was allergic to the fleas since her coat wasn't looking great and she had crusty spots on her skin. I narrowed down all the smaller problems, but still couldn't figure out what was going on. Turns out it is spinal lymphoma.

I don't regret moving, but if this is the cause I feel terrible. I'm hoping it's just a strange coincidence. The worst part is we are renting now while building a new house. We will have to move one more time.