What does stress do to do with cancer and how does stress influence a cancer diagnosis? In this day and age stress comes with the territory. When stress builds up inside our bodies it elevates our cortisol, the stress hormone. It also activates our sympathetic nervous system producing our internal fight-or-flight response. ⠀ ⠀ Chronic stress leads to constant production and secretion of dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, and cortisol. When prolonged, stress suppresses the immune