Social isolation is linked to higher mortality rates and illness

Jul 30, 2019

Psychologists refer to loneliness as painful isolation to make a distinction from solitude. Image: REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Esteban Ortiz-Ospina

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Effect of long-term social isolation on mammary tumor growth and diagnosis at 15 months. (A) Tumor burden (mean SEM) after living alone or in noncrowded social groups. (B) Rats with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or malignant tumors were primarily socially isolated; those with benign or no tumors lived in groups. (C–H) Wide range of naturally developing mammary tumors: (C) fibroadenoma; (D) lactating adenoma; (E) intraductal papilloma; (F) DCIS; (G) invasive ductal carcinoma; (H) fibrosarcoma.

Image: PNAS

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