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Neighborhood and stress linked to increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer
Prostate cancer researchers recently published a study that demonstrates the importance of living in a stress-free environment. Its key revelation is that increased stress is associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer.
The researchers used neighborhood deprivation metrics �measures of how deprived an area is �to understand the effect of stress on the likelihood that someone might develop aggressive prostate cancer. There is always room for more accuracy, stricter controls, and larger pools of participants. However, the findings suggest that neighborhood disadvantage is indeed associated with more stress, which in turn can lead to a greater health risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Where you live has a big impact on stress levels and cancer risk
Neighborhood disadvantage is a term used by academics to refer to a lack of social and economic resources in an area.
People who live there may be cut off from other areas because of bad transport links or poorly kept roads. They might not have easy access to good quality food, adequate employment opportunities, and housing; crime levels could mean people feel unsafe going outside.
Or there could be higher than average traffic density polluting the air and causing health problems. All sorts of factors are relevant when measuring neighborhood disadvantage.
And all of them can increase the overall stress levels of community members. Studies have already connected neighborhood disadvantage to adult depression, and health-related quality of life, especially among African American and white cancer survivors.�Recently, researchers have been eyeing the potential link between stress and prostate cancer.
Researchers, predominantly based in Maryland, Baltimore, recently published a study that found a link between neighborhood disadvantage, greater amounts of stress, and an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
The study warrants follow-up, say the authors.
They examined 218 men with prostate cancer and compared their living situations. They found that neighborhood disadvantage was linked to significantly higher tumor expression of stress-related genes, including genes that cause inflammation.
The research found a link between neighborhood factors such as those mentioned earlier and stress. This was one of the first studies of its kind but shouldnt be the last, the authors say.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the US
According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the US and the second leading cause of cancer death among men.
In 2024 alone, an estimated 299,000 cases will be diagnosed, and 35,000 deaths recorded, as a result of prostate cancer.
However, it has a five-year survival rate of 97.5%, meaning the vast majority of people survive it. Based on 2018-2021 data, nearly 13% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime.�
Prevention is the best cure, and diet plays a role in creating an environment in which prostate cancer can flourish. However, for those who can’t avoid diagnosis, the best way to avoid any serious issues from prostate cancer is to spot it early. Symptoms include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, weight loss, and erectile dysfunction, according to Mayo Clinic.
