Shocking Study Reveals Alarming Link: Living Alone Increases Cancer Death Risk in US Adults!
Living alone may increase the risk of cancer-related death, as per a recent study The number of adults in the US living alone is also rising
A new study suggests that adults who live alone may have a higher risk of dying from cancer compared to those who live with others. Additionally, the research found that the percentage of adults in the United States who live alone is increasing. The study, published in the journal Cancer, analyzed data from 114,772 working-age adults who lived alone and found that 2.5% of them died of cancer during the study period. In contrast, among the 358,876 adults who lived with others, only 1.6% died of cancer. The study focused on adults ages 18 to 64, and the strongest association was observed in those between the ages of 45 to 64.
Melancholy woman resting at the terrace
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Loneliness or social isolation linked to serious health outcomes, study finds
According to Dr. Farhad Islami, a senior scientific director at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, adults who live alone are 1.32 times more likely to die from cancer compared to those who live with others. This suggests that adults living alone have a 32% higher risk of cancer death. Dr. Islami acknowledges that living alone is just one aspect of social isolation and does not consider factors like social networks or engagement in social activities. However, he emphasizes that living alone is still an important factor to consider and emphasizes the need to find ways to minimize the negative effects of living alone and social isolation in order to reduce mortality rates within this growing population.
One senior black woman sitting by bedside in bedroom
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Being socially frail comes with health risks for older adults
The percentage of individuals in the United States who reside alone has increased significantly over the course of several decades. According to data from the US Census Bureau, the proportion of households with only one occupant in the country more than doubled between 1960 and 2022. In 1960, approximately 7 million households, equivalent to 13% of the population, lived alone. By 2022, this number had risen to about 38 million households, representing 29% of the population.
To gain further insights, researchers from the American Cancer Society and the US Department of Health and Human Services examined data spanning from 1998 to 2019. They focused on a sample size exceeding 470,000 adults obtained from the National Health Interview Survey and the National Death Index. The study primarily evaluated the number of individuals who lived alone versus those living with others and their correlation with cancer-related deaths. However, factors such as the cancer stage at diagnosis, specific cancer types, and treatment regimens were not taken into account during the analysis.
The participants in the study were adults aged 18 to 64 at enrollment, and they were monitored for a maximum of 22 years, starting from the survey participation until December 31, 2019. Approximately 24% of them resided alone.
Moreover, the researchers observed that the prevalence of single-person households was higher in Black households compared to White, Asian, and Hispanic households. This trend was also more prominent among young adults and the elderly, as opposed to middle-aged adults. Additionally, females and adults with higher education levels had a greater likelihood of living alone compared to males and individuals with lower educational attainment.
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The study found that the link between living alone and cancer mortality remained even after considering various sociodemographic, behavioral, and health factors. This association was observed particularly among non-Hispanic White adults and adults with higher education levels.
"Our findings suggest that stronger social support may have been present for communities belonging to racial ethnic minority groups and individuals with lower socioeconomic status, potentially mitigating the link between living alone and cancer mortality. However, further research is required to understand the underlying reasons for these disparities," stated Islami.
The study revealed that adults living alone were more prone to reporting fair or poor health status, experiencing activity limitations, suffering from severe psychological distress, being severely obese, smoking cigarettes, or consuming alcohol compared to adults living with others.
"These findings highlight the importance of addressing the issue of individuals living alone within the broader population and specifically among cancer survivors. This calls for the implementation of interventions aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of living alone and social isolation, as well as further investigation to uncover the underlying mechanisms contributing to this relationship," stated the researchers in their study.
Alone and lonely are not the same
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy addresses the United States Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington, DC on January 18, 2023. (Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in May, highlighting loneliness and social isolation as an epidemic. However, he emphasized the potential of social connection to mitigate health risks and foster community resilience.
However, it is important to note that living alone does not automatically imply feelings of loneliness or isolation, according to Kathrin Milbury, an associate professor of behavioral science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She emphasized the need for further research to better understand the specific factors that may explain the link between living alone and an increased risk of death from cancer.
Milbury mentioned in the email that living with others provides convenient human contact. Although living alone may be less harmful when in good health, individuals undergoing cancer treatment or coping with the long-term effects of treatment might lack the energy to seek social interaction, feel uneasy about going to public places due to changes in appearance, or have physical limitations that hinder their ability to engage socially. As a result, those who live alone could be at risk of experiencing social isolation.
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According to Milbury, the exact biological impacts of social isolation are not yet completely understood. However, humans are inherently social creatures, and being isolated triggers a persistent state of biological stress that can have harmful effects on our health. Milbury also suggests that being in meaningful relationships goes beyond simply having company, as it provides support, care, and advocacy that contribute to overall well-being.
