Loneliness a Factor in Men’s Cancer Risk

Social interaction and companionship are basic human needs that science is now discovering play a part in preventing illness. A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland, published in Psychiatry Research, has found that middle-aged men are at an increased risk of developing cancer if they are lonely. Researchers suggest that taking loneliness and lack of social relationships into account is an important part of comprehensive healthcare and disease prevention.

Project researcher Siiri-Liisi Kraav from the University of Eastern Finland says that the studies, which were carried out over several decades, showed that loneliness could be as significant a health risk as smoking or being overweight. He believes the findings should be taken into account when treating patients.

Launched in the 1980s, the study team monitored the health and mortality of 2,570 middle-aged men from eastern Finland. It was found that 649 men, approximately 25% of participants, developed cancer, and 283 men, or 11% of participants, died of cancer. It was found that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about 10%, regardless of age, socio-economic status, lifestyle, sleep quality, depression symptoms, body mass index, heart disease, and other risk factors. Additionally, cancer mortality was higher in patients who were unmarried, widowed, or divorced.

Researchers say it is important to examine in more detail how loneliness causes adverse health effects. In doing so, preventive measures can be taken before health deteriorates.