Israeli researchers have released a report that major stressful events in life can increase the risk of breast cancer in young women, but “a general sense of well-being and optimism” can help protect against the disease. Ronit Peled, of Ben-Gurion University in Israel, said the study was conducted by a team of researchers. Peled and colleagues investigated the effect of a major life change (such as the loss of a parent before age 20) on the risk of breast cancer. Israeli women have the highest prevalence of breast cancer in the world. Peled’s team recruited 255 women between the ages of 25 and 45 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and 367 women in the same age group who had not had breast cancer. They then asked these women if they had experienced a major change (such as the loss of a spouse or a loved one) or an event that brought moderate stress (such as a serious illness, career change or divorce). Respondents also answered a questionnaire that assessed anxiety, depression, happiness and optimism. The study showed that women who had experienced two or more major or moderate shocks had a 62% increased chance of developing breast cancer. Meanwhile, women with a “general sense of well-being and optimism” had a 25 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.