Loneliness, social isolation linked to higher cancer death risk: study

LONDON

Loneliness and social isolation are linked to a 34% higher risk of dying from cancer, according to new research published in the journal BMJ Oncology on Tuesday.

The study, based on data from more than 1.5 million patients across 12 studies, found that loneliness and isolation have significant emotional and psychological effects that can influence cancer progression and survival rates.

Researchers said the findings suggest that loneliness and social isolation may affect cancer outcomes “beyond traditional biological and treatment-related factors.”

“Biologically, the stress response triggered by loneliness may lead to immune dysregulation and heightened inflammatory activity, ultimately contributing to disease progression,” the study said.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, with nearly 20 million new diagnoses and 9.7 million deaths in 2022.

Those numbers are projected to rise to 35 million new cases and 18.5 million deaths by 2050, according to global health data.