Sufferers of chronic and/or widespread pain have drastically increased cancer rates. Research reported in the British Medical Journal reports a 127% increase in death due to cancer in individuals with widespread pain. The researchers were careful to exclude anyone from the study whose pain may have been due to undiagnosed cancer.
The three most common fatal cancers in individuals with chronic pain were lung, gastrointestinal, and female breast cancer. Researchers concluded "This study has shown that people who report widespread pain have an increased risk of death, mainly from cancer, over the subsequent eight years." Discussing possible mechanisms for the increases in cancer and death due to cancer, the researchers considered the following; "Some studies have provided evidence that certain psychosocial factors may predispose people to the development of cancer. These include the inability to release emotion, the experience of stressful life events, psychosexual disturbance, and parental problems or separation in early life.19 Many of these factors have also been linked to widespread body pain. 20 21 Lifestyle factors subsequent to these adverse events, possibly in combination with changes in neuroendocrine function, may result in both an increased reporting of pain and an increased risk of cancer."
If you have chronic pain, do something about it. Too often we give up and live with a diminished quality of life due to pain. If you, or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, try chiropractic. Several studies have shown chiropractic to one of the best ways to rid yourself of chronic pain. Also consider the "inability to release emotion, the experience of stressful life events, psychosexual disturbance, and parental problems or separation in early life" mentioned by these authors. These problems are detrimental to your health--check out the resources on the Stress Reduction Page and set your sights on the highest quality of life!
Link to the study.