An individual's social connections and how lonely they feel should be considered when assessing cancer risk, a study published in Psychiatry Research found.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Its risk factors are being intensively studied. However, little is known about the influence of psychosocial factors on its development.
Previously, scientists have linked loneliness and social isolation to cancer risk factors such as obesity and smoking. Cancer is more likely to develop in people who are affected by factors such as stress, depression and lack of social support. Life without a partner is associated with the diagnosis of cancer in the later stages.
In a new study, Finnish scientists focused on the association of cancer risk with social isolation (an objective lack of social contact with other people) and loneliness (a subjective feeling). The study was started in the 1980s and involved 2,570 middle-aged Finnish people. Scientists have monitored their health up to the present time by monitoring the data of the case histories.
During the observation period, about 25% of the study participants developed cancer, and 11% died from oncological pathologies.
Loneliness has been associated with an approximately 10% increase in cancer risk. This relationship persisted, regardless of social status, lifestyle, heart disease. Cancer mortality was higher in people who were single, widowed, or divorced at the start of the study.
“Awareness of the effects of loneliness on health is constantly growing. Therefore, it is important to study it in detail, including the mechanisms that are responsible for its pathological influence. This will allow us to better cope with the harmful effects of loneliness, as well as find targets for preventive interventions,” said Professor Siiri-Liisi Kraav from the University of Eastern Finland, co-author of the new study.