Loneliness Linked to Increased Cancer Mortality, Study Finds
Toronto, Canada – A new meta-analysis led by dr. Srinivas Raman’s team at the University of Toronto has revealed a important link between loneliness and social isolation and increased mortality rates in cancer patients. Published in BMJ Oncology,the study underscores the importance of addressing psychosocial factors in cancer care.
The research team analyzed 12 studies encompassing over 1.57 million individuals, finding that those reporting the highest levels of loneliness and social isolation had a 34% higher risk of death from all causes compared to those with strong social connections. Further analysis of 9 studies, involving over 2.14 million people, showed an 11-16% increase in cancer-specific mortality for severely lonely patients.
The study drew data from 13 observational studies conducted across Canada, England, Finland, Ireland, Japan, and the United states. Loneliness and social isolation were assessed using the ’Social Network Index’ and the ‘UCLA Loneliness Scale’.Researchers noted that with global cancer cases projected to reach 35 million annually and cancer deaths to 18.5 million by 2050, integrating psychosocial evaluation and tailored interventions into cancer treatment is crucial.
“This demonstrates that loneliness and social isolation can impact cancer prognosis alongside traditional biological and treatment factors,” explained the research team. They highlighted that loneliness can trigger biological responses like immune imbalance and inflammation, while psychosocial factors such as stigma and anxiety can exacerbate social disconnection.
While acknowledging the observational nature of the research and the difficulty in establishing definitive causal relationships, the team emphasized the potential impact of their findings. “Careful interpretation considering these limitations is necessary,” they stated, “but if confirmed by future studies, psychosocial intervention should be a standard component of cancer treatment.”
Reporter Park Jun-ha june@nongmin.com
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