Holocaust Survivors at Risk for Cancer

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- People who face psychological stress like famine or prolonged mental stress may have a higher risk of developing cancer.

A recent study shows Jewish survivors of World War II who may have been exposed to the Holocaust have a significantly increased risk for developing all types of cancer.

Lital Keinan-Baker, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of the School of Public Health, Faculty of Welfare and Health Sciences, at the University of Haifa in Israel, and colleagues took a group of 300,000 Israeli Jews and grouped them by immigration dates into Israel; during or before World War  II and after World War II to 1989.

Likely exposure to the Holocaust increased the risk for overall cancer for all ages and both sexes. Researchers found the strongest associations to be with breast and colorectal cancer.  Researchers also noted the younger the survivor at the time of exposure, the higher the risk of developing cancer later in life.

"These observations may have direct impact on the health of World War II Jewish survivors and thus the care required from their caregivers in Israel and elsewhere," the authors were quoted as saying. "These findings warrant further epidemiological studies (such as case-control studies) of past and present risk factors that use individual data."

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, October 26, 2009

If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Melissa Medalie at mmedalie@ivanhoe.com