answer:I am not a doctor. As far as heart disease, I would say sort of. When my dad was diagnosed with severe blockage in his left main artery leaving the heart (which is nicknamed the widowmaker) the doc gave him some Xanax to take for the next week before he was scheduled for surgery. The doctor didn’t want my dad to be stressed and trigger an event. My dad had not asked for it, and he says he felt no different taking the medication. Thing is bensos are very addictive, and using them on a regular basis is not a good idea for a lot of reasons. The worst thing is once addicted, you either need more, or if God forbid you miss a dose or two the rebound anxiety is very bad, sudden withdrawal can be downright dangerous. A pill or two here and there during temporary times of great stress is probably fine though, and I think possibly beneficial. Cancer I really doubt. I guess if we argue stress hampers the immune system then maybe it affects cancer, but I doubt there is a big influence directly related to cancer. Stomach upset hasn’t been linked to stomach cancer nor colon cancer as far as I know. A lot of stomach and upper digestive problems are related to H. Pylori the bacteria, stress causing ulcers and some other problems in the digestve track is less and less considered the priary culprit. Thanks goodness. Every time they dismiss an ailment as stress, is another time science does not look for a true underlying cause and blames the patient. I do agree stress contributes to health problems, but I also firmly believe there is something usually present causing the illness in the first place, and stress just exaggerates the problem or let’s it reveal itself.