Cancer patients who are married show higher survival rates than their never-married or divorced counterparts, but those undergoing a separation at the time of diagnosis have the poorest survival odds.
Cancer patients who are married show higher survival rates than their never-married or divorced counterparts, but those undergoing a separation at the time of diagnosis have the poorest survival odds.
Studies in the past have shown that married patients have improved cancer survival when compared with unmarried patients. This has been assumed as being due to increased support, potentially leading to better compliance with therapy. Conversely, some studies show a relationship between marital discord and decreased immunity.
To examine whether being or not being with a partner makes any difference in cancer recovery and prognosis, researchers studied the data of 3.79 million Americans from a national cancer registry.
It was found that married cancer patients had the highest five- and 10-year survival rates, at roughly 63 percent and 57 percent, respectively. But there were also differences among the unmarried, with patients who were undergoing a separation at the time of diagnosis showing the lowest survival rates. Of separated cancer patients, 45 percent were alive five years after diagnosis, and 37 percent were alive 10 years later. After married patients, those who had never been married had the highest long-term survival rates, followed by those who were divorced or widowed.
The above findings add to the understanding of marital status and cancer survival. The researchers attributed decreased cancer survival in individuals separated at time of diagnosis to the speculation that people undergoing a separation face changes and uncertainty that may be uniquely stressful, which affects the immune system badly.
Studies in the past have shown that married patients have improved cancer survival when compared with unmarried patients. This has been assumed as being due to increased support, potentially leading to better compliance with therapy. Conversely, some studies show a relationship between marital discord and decreased immunity.
To examine whether being or not being with a partner makes any difference in cancer recovery and prognosis, researchers studied the data of 3.79 million Americans from a national cancer registry.
It was found that married cancer patients had the highest five- and 10-year survival rates, at roughly 63 percent and 57 percent, respectively. But there were also differences among the unmarried, with patients who were undergoing a separation at the time of diagnosis showing the lowest survival rates. Of separated cancer patients, 45 percent were alive five years after diagnosis, and 37 percent were alive 10 years later. After married patients, those who had never been married had the highest long-term survival rates, followed by those who were divorced or widowed.
The above findings add to the understanding of marital status and cancer survival. The researchers attributed decreased cancer survival in individuals separated at time of diagnosis to the speculation that people undergoing a separation face changes and uncertainty that may be uniquely stressful, which affects the immune system badly.
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