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CHICAGO: Young female rats afraid of new environments developed cancer tumours sooner than their more adventuresome sisters, a new study finds. The researchers called the difference "striking."
The apprehensive rodents died sooner than others in the study because they got cancer earlier in life, on average. Importantly, however, the study found no difference in the length of time between onset of cancer and death in the two sets of rats.
Implications for humans? The findings suggest research is needed into the possibility that human personality could predict cancer risk, the researchers write in the Hormones and Behaviour.
"Human studies may need to consider more basic behaviour traits than those already considered," said Martha McClintock of the University of Chicago. The scientists studied 81 female rats of a type known to develop breast and pituitary tumours.
The apprehensive rodents died sooner than others in the study because they got cancer earlier in life, on average. Importantly, however, the study found no difference in the length of time between onset of cancer and death in the two sets of rats.
Implications for humans? The findings suggest research is needed into the possibility that human personality could predict cancer risk, the researchers write in the Hormones and Behaviour.
"Human studies may need to consider more basic behaviour traits than those already considered," said Martha McClintock of the University of Chicago. The scientists studied 81 female rats of a type known to develop breast and pituitary tumours.
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