Child physical abuse linked to cancer

TORONTO, June 26 (UPI) -- 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.