New Delhi, April 17 -- Stress is a near-inescapable part of modern living. From high-pressure jobs to personal responsibilities, it affects everyone in different ways, and many worry about how it may impact their long-term health. One frequently asked question that continues to resurface is: does stress contribute to cancer? While this is a commonly held belief, medical experts say the reality is more complex.

At its core, cancer is a genetic disease. It is a disorder in which DNA mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably. Factors such as tobacco use, radiation, certain infections, and environmental carcinogens can trigger these mutations, as can inherited genes.

Dr Amol S. Rathod, Consultant Medical Oncologist at MOC Cancer Care and...