TORONTO, Jun 26, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Individuals physically abused in
childhood are more likely to develop cancer as adults than those who have not
been abused, researchers in Canada said.
Esme Fuller-Thomson of the University of Toronto said childhood physical abuse
is associated with 49 percent higher odds of cancer in adulthood. "Few talk
about childhood physical abuse and cancer in the same breath," said
Fuller-Thomson said in a statement.
"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, published online ahead of the July 15 print issue of the journal
Cancer, showed the association between childhood abuse and cancer remained
significant even after controlling for confounding factors including: childhood
stressors, adult health behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol
consumption and adult socioeconomic status.
"One important avenue for future research is to investigate dysfunctions in
cortisol production -- the (stress) hormone that prepares us for 'fight or
flight' -- as a possible mediator in the abuse-cancer relationship," study
co-author Sarah Brennenstuhl, a doctoral student at University of Toronto, said.
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