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Could adrenalin aggravate cancer? Are "thrill sports" a risk to us?

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 4/25/2015 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I can't find much about this. Here's one article I located, that seems to suggest there may be a positive link:
www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-stress-feed-cancer/

So, today was pretty fun. I went to a class introducing about 25 people to the shooting sport of IDPA, a somewhat realistic simulation of real world threat situations. It's scored and timed, to add some adrenalin to the event in addition to simple peer pressure!

I've always been kind of an adrenalin junkie, enjoying various types of "thrill sports".

So, before I dive into a new world of adrenaline and heart-rate-racing competition, it occurred to me that maybe it might not be a really good idea. Stress has been linked, even if only weakly or anecdotally with cancer, so is that from adrenalin? Should I be seeking more peaceful pursuits, or is saturating my system in blasts of adrenalin likely to aggravate my potentially latent little rogue cowboy G9-type cells?

Any ideas from the collective wisdom of this august group?

Jerry
Posted 4/26/2015 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
My initial thought was "Good" stress versus "Bad" stress. And, as suspected, there's an App for that. :)

I'm definitely an adrenaline junkie. I love the thrill of it all. My body reacts with happiness and smiles. I also have 4 children who have been known to bring on stress that zaps the life out of me. I can't imagine that my body is releasing the same type/level of adrenaline and cortisol in each of those scenarios.
Very interesting, if so.

stanfordmedicine.org/communitynews/2012fall/stress.html
Posted 4/26/2015 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
Probably so, as I'm the same. I'm also thinning on top of my head and I learned bald guys might be more susceptible as well.
Posted 4/26/2015 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting link, MrsWW. Theorizing short term adrenalin, fight or flight response, could even enhance our immune system response!

My high performance wave runner is a blast, I've flown aerobatics in an Extra 300 (with an instructor), driven a NASCAR race car 170 mph at Taladega (also with an instructor). Stuff like that really turns me on!

The stress from competition, the thrill, is short term. Anticipating the event, the wait at the start, on deck, the buzzer sounding in your ear, and then performing! The adrenalin release is addictive, and I suppose that's why we keep seeking activities that will cause it! I like the idea that it may even be a good thing. Hadn't considered that angle!
Posted 4/26/2015 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'd look at it this way...so what? The whole goal and definition of GFMPH is to choke the life out of the monster. Will the adrenaline junkies shorten their lives? Maybe, but what a way to go. I'm reminded of the Hunter S Thompson quote:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

Consider Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson on the track. I'd argue that they BOTH won...and the GTO and the Shelby both lost.
Posted 4/26/2015 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
I would imagine that the real situations that your IPDA scenarios simulate would tend to reduce prostate cancer specific mortality, especially if you are slow moving, make a big target, and are a lousy shot.
Posted 4/26/2015 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, that if adrenaline has a negative effect that that is the whole point, the rush comes from overcoming the fear and pushing thru to the proverbial napalmish smell of Victory. Bring it on suckah!!!
Posted 4/26/2015 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
"...several recent studies have found that men who take drugs that interfere with the stress hormone adrenaline have a lower incidence of prostate cancer..."  Perhaps a reason to take beta-blockers...which I belive block adrenaline.

 

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/joci-pcc011813.php

However, I think what would be more harmful is to just sit on a couch...I would do what you enjoy...

 

Posted 4/26/2015 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses!

Yeah, if I can't enjoy the thrills I've always sought, what's the point anyway?

PeterDA, you're quite right! And, it is all too true that I'm not getting any faster, any smaller, and am making slow progress at becoming a better shot. The real situations would NOT be biased in my favor...
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