Cancer Survivors Who Feel Lonely Have Higher Risk of Dying
A new study suggests that cancer survivors who feel lonely are more likely to die than those who have a robust support system. With a “loneliness epidemic” in the United States and fewer social connections, feelings of isolation have been linked to heart disease, stroke, and other health conditions. This research claims that cancer survivors who feel lonelier may not receive the necessary practical and emotional support they require for their symptoms. People who live alone or have fewer social connections may be at higher risk of experiencing loneliness.
The Data and Categories
For this study, the researchers analyzed data from almost 3,450 cancer survivors aged 50 and older who were part of the 2008-2018 Health and Retirement Study. These people were followed until the end of 2020. The researchers assessed loneliness every four years and grouped people into four categories: low/no loneliness, mild loneliness, moderate loneliness, and high loneliness. Cancer survivors who reported feeling lonely were more likely to die during the follow-up period than their counterparts who did not feel lonely. The lonelier a person was, the higher their risk of dying.
“It’s time to start helping cancer survivors feel more connected,” the researchers suggested. One approach to reducing loneliness is to connect with other people who have also had cancer or joining a support group to share experiences. Cancer survivors can also contact social workers, therapists or other health professionals to express their concerns and seek help. Caregivers, including family and friends, should be aware that cancer survivors can experience loneliness that can affect their health.
Dr Arif Kamal, patient director for the American Cancer Society, claims that loneliness is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for poorer outcomes in cancer survivors. Research like this highlights the important role of oncology teams and primary care providers in assessing loneliness and creating community-based interventions to ensure no one experiences or survives cancer alone. Overall, cancer survivors should have access to social support systems to mitigate the negative long-term effects of loneliness.
The Surgeon General’s Recent Report on the Loneliness Epidemic
The US Surgeon General’s recent report on the loneliness epidemic reveals that social isolation affects a substantial number of Americans across a range of ages. In 2018, over one-third of adults aged 45 years or older reported feeling lonely. Chronic loneliness was associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and dementia. It can also lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as reduce immune system functioning, making people more susceptible to infections. Social isolation also increases the risk of premature death and is comparable to high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity.
According to the Surgeon General’s report, combating loneliness requires a multi-level approach. It involves increasing awareness and understanding of the health risks associated with loneliness and social isolation, addressing barriers to social connection, and developing strategies that build and maintain social connections. Primary care providers should screen for loneliness and social isolation as part of routine health assessments and refer patients to evidence-based interventions. The report emphasizes that social support systems are essential to improving health outcomes and reducing the negative impact of loneliness.
Expanding on the Topic
The data surrounding loneliness’s negative impact on health outcomes is both concerning and clear. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures, loneliness was a growing concern in many communities. The current pandemic has exacerbated the issue, with more people living alone and cut-off from traditional support networks. According to a survey released by the Kaiser Foundation, nearly half of Americans report that the pandemic negatively impacted their mental health. Over 30% of Americans reported that they had felt more lonely and isolated in the wake of COVID-19. While vaccines and decreasing infection rates offer hope for a return to normalcy, the negative impact on mental health and wellbeing may linger.
Researchers need to explore and expand upon the strategies that help people struggling with loneliness. Social support networks, either formal or informal, could be an essential tool in addressing feelings of social isolation. People who have experienced loneliness or social isolation and come out the other side can offer unique insights and practical advice for others experiencing similar feelings. Support groups, mentoring programs, or one-on-one counseling could be an effective way to address loneliness’s negative impact on health outcomes.
In conclusion, social support is essential to mitigating loneliness for cancer survivors. The risks associated with loneliness on mental and physical health are far-reaching, affecting individuals across a range of ages. The current pandemic has further exacerbated the issue, making it more crucial than ever for health professionals and communities to address. The US Surgeon General’s recent report provides an extensive guide for addressing the issue and serves as a blueprint for action. By recognizing the importance of social support networks to health outcomes, providers and advocates can work to reduce the negative impact of loneliness for all Americans.
Summary
Isolation has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and other health issues, and a “loneliness epidemic” is plaguing the United States. According to a recent report by the US Surgeon General, loneliness is a significant public health concern that can negatively affect mental and physical health and increase the risk of premature death. New research indicates that cancer survivors who feel lonely are more likely to die than those with a robust support system. The report reveals that one-third of US adults aged 45 or older reported feeling lonely in 2018. Chronic loneliness can lead to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, and reduces the immune system’s functioning. The Surgeon General’s report highlights the importance of social support systems to combat loneliness and reduce the negative impact on health outcomes. Expanding strategies to help individuals struggling with loneliness is essential to promote mental and physical well-being. Support groups, mentoring programs, or one-on-one counseling could be an effective way to address feelings of loneliness. By recognizing the importance of social support networks, providers and advocates can work to reduce the negative impact of loneliness for all Americans.
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by Denise Mann
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, June 5, 2023 (HealthDay News) — There’s a “loneliness epidemic” in the United States, and feelings of isolation have been linked to heart disease, stroke and other health conditions.
Now, new research suggests that cancer survivors who feel lonely are more likely to die than survivors who have more social support.
“Loneliness may be related to poorer survival after a cancer diagnosis through multiple mechanisms, including an increased risk of experiencing negative emotions such as hostility, stress, and anxiety, an increase in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, substance abuse, and alcohol and less physical activity, or through physiological pathways. such as immune system disorders,” explained study author Jingxuan Zhao. She is a Senior Scientist Associate at the American Cancer Society.
“Cancer survivors who feel lonelier may also not receive the practical and emotional support they need for their symptoms,” Zhao added.
For the study, Zhao and his colleagues analyzed data from nearly 3,450 cancer survivors aged 50 and older who were part of the 2008-2018 Health and Retirement Study. These people were followed until the end of 2020.
The researchers assessed loneliness every four years and grouped people into four categories: low/no loneliness; mild loneliness; moderate loneliness; and high loneliness.
Cancer survivors who reported feeling lonely were more likely to die during the follow-up period than their counterparts who did not feel lonely. The lonelier a person was, the higher their risk of dying, the study showed.
These findings held up even after the researchers controlled for other factors that could affect the risk of dying, such as age.
It’s time to start helping cancer survivors feel more connected, the researchers suggested.
“One approach to reduce your loneliness is to connect with other people who have also had cancer or join a support group and share your experience,” Zhao said. “Cancer survivors can also contact social workers, therapists or other health professionals to express their concerns and seek help.”
Caregivers, including family and friends, should be aware that cancer survivors can experience loneliness, which can affect their health.
“Ask cancer survivors about their feelings or help them navigate programs that can screen for loneliness and provide social support to those who need it,” she advised.
It can be hard to know who is alone. “People who live alone or have fewer social connections may be at higher risk of experiencing loneliness,” Zhao said.
The findings were to be presented Saturday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, in Chicago. Findings presented at medical conferences should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
“Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for poorer outcomes in cancer survivors,” he said. Dr Arif Kamal, patient director for the American Cancer Society. “Research like this highlights the important opportunity role of oncology teams and primary care providers in assessing loneliness and creating community-based interventions to ensure no one experiences or survives cancer alone.”
More information
Learn more about the health effects of loneliness in the US Surgeon General’s recent report on the loneliness epidemic.
SOURCES: Jingxuan Zhao, MPH, senior associate scientist, American Cancer Society, Atlanta; Arif Kamal, MD, MBA, patient director, American Cancer Society, Atlanta; June 3, 2023, Presentation, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20230605/loneliness-can-cut-survival-after-a-cancer-diagnosis-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC
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