A study by the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Dept. of Family and Community Medicine shows that people subjected to childhood physical abuse have higher odds of developing cancer in adulthood than those who have not been abused. This 2009 controlled study showed a strong correlation despite confounding factors of childhood stress, socioeconomic status in adulthood and adverse adult health behaviors i.e. smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of physical exercise.
One possible explanation may be a dysfunction in cortisol production. Cortisol--aka the "fight or flight" hormone--is produced in the body's adrenal glands as a natural reaction to stress. Prolonged childhood exposure to this hormone may contribute to the suppression of the immune system and the body's subsequent inability to fight disease.
No comments:
Post a Comment