Americans who live alone may face a higher risk of dying from cancer, with men, non-Hispanic white adults, and people with higher education levels more susceptible to such risks, according to a recent study.
While socially isolated men had a 1.38 times higher risk of cancer death compared to other men, females living an isolated life had a 1.30 times higher risk. Middle-aged adults (ages 45-64) who lived alone had a 1.43 times higher risk.
The study found racial differences in cancer mortality risk and living alone. The association was stronger among non-Hispanic White adults than non-Hispanic Black adults and did not exist in other racial/ethnic groups. The association persisted among individuals with higher education levels than those with lower education.
The research theorized that stronger social support among people belonging to racial/ethnic minorities and individuals of lower socioeconomic status may have alleviated the association between living alone and cancer death risk in such groups.
“These results reflect the need for more resources and appropriate training for clinicians, integrated screening for living alone and social isolation, and more research to identify and implement interventions that could reduce adverse effects of living alone and social isolation,” said Dr. Hyunjung Lee, principal scientist, cancer disparity research at ACS and lead author of the study, according to an Oct. 19 ACS press release.
“Some examples include patient navigation programs for this population to increase uptake of and adherence to cancer screening, timely diagnosis, treatment, and attendance of medical appointments, and the inclusion of this group among high priority groups for services based on screenings for the health-related social needs.”
In 2022, there were 38 million households in the United States where people lived in isolation, which is a more than five-fold jump from the seven million households in 1960.
Adults who lived alone were more likely to be male, older people, non-Hispanic white or non-Hispanic black, and have incomes below the federal poverty level. These people were also more susceptible to serious psychological distress, have severe obesity, and engage in smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol.
“Findings in this study underscore the significance of addressing living alone in the general population and among cancer survivors and call for interventions to reduce adverse effects of living alone and social isolation,” Mr. Lee said.
The study talked about the cancer’s link with living alone and not loneliness.
“Living alone” indicates a situation where an individual lives physically alone, with no one else to accompany them. Being “lonely” refers to a situation when an individual feels emotionally alone. A person can feel lonely even if they physically live with other people.
Cancer in the United States
According to ACS, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, surpassed only by heart disease.ACS estimated a little over 1.9 million new cancer cases to be diagnosed in the United States this year. Deaths from the illness are expected to be approximately 609,820, which comes to 1,670 deaths per day. California is expected to see the highest number of cancer cases, followed by Florida, Texas, and New York, all registering over 100,000 cases.
The American Cancer Society expects cancers related to the genital system to be the most prevalent this year, followed by the digestive system, breast, respiratory system, and urinary system.
It predicts individuals belonging to the 40-44 and 45-49 age groups to make up a significant proportion of EOC cancer cases and deaths in the decade.
Though cancer rates have been dropping in the United States over the past decades, ACS calculates future progress to slow down due to rising incidences of breast, prostate, and uterine cancers.
With cancer being a major health issue, new technologies and techniques are being developed to improve detection capabilities.
The test evaluates DNA extracted from a blood sample to identify hundreds of genetic variants known to be associated with a higher risk of developing cancers like those affecting the breasts, ovaries, prostate, uterus, colon, rectum, and stomach. As such, it offers a simpler way to identify the likelihood of developing cancer. The test can identify variants in 47 genes.
“The test can also help identify potentially cancer-associated hereditary variants in individuals with already-diagnosed cancer,” the FDA said. The DNA blood test is the “first of its kind to be granted FDA marketing authorization.”
