|
Childhood physical abuse is associated with elevated
rates of cancer in adulthood, according to a new study by University of
Toronto researchers.
The study, to be published July 15 in the journal
Cancer, shows those individuals physically abused in childhood are
more likely to develop cancer than those who have not been abused.
Childhood physical abuse is associated with 49 per cent higher odds of
cancer in adulthood, says Esme Fuller-Thomson of U of T's Factor-Inwentash
Faculty of Social Work and Department of Family and Community Medicine.
"Few talk about childhood physical abuse and cancer in
the same breath," says Fuller-Thomson. "From a public health
perspective, it's extremely important that clinicians be aware of the
full range of risk factors for cancer. This research provides important
new knowledge about a potential childhood abuse-cancer relationship."
The study's findings showed the association between
childhood abuse and cancer remained significant even after controlling
for three major potentially confounding factors: childhood stressors,
adult health behaviors (i.e. smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol
consumption) and adult socioeconomic status.
Co-author Sarah Brennenstuhl, a doctoral student at
Uof T, notes that various psychophysiological factors could help to
explain the link between childhood physical abuse and cancer. "One
important avenue for future research is to investigate dysfunctions in
cortisol production – the hormone that prepares us for 'fight or flight'
–as a possible mediator in the abuse-cancer relationship."
|
