Marriage Can Prolong Life in Cancer Patients

Lung cancer patients who are married have a greater chance to live longer than those patients who are single, according to a new study. The study, carried out by researchers from the University of Maryland, included sixty-eight individuals who had undergone chemotherapy and radiation, from 2000 to 2010, for advanced lung cancer.

It was revealed that one third of the married lung cancer patients were still alive after three years of treatment, while only 10% of the patients who were single remained alive. The study also showed that among the survivors, women fared better.

It was shown that patients of other cancers, such as the prostate and head and neck also benefited from being married.

According to the study experts’ marital status appears to be a significant independent predictor of survival in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although the reason for this is still unclear it can be said undoubtedly that there is a great deal of importance in social support in managing and treating these deadly cancers.

It is a well-known fact that cancer patients become debilitated as the disease advances and, therefore, require support to carry out their daily activities. They also need help to keep appointments for hospital visits.

It is in this context that married individuals are able to cope with the situation better than their single counterparts who have to cope with the tragedy alone.

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Elizabeth Nichols, a radiation oncologist, who was the lead researcher in the study states that although it is mandatory to continue to focus on new drugs and therapies to counter cancer there is also an equally compelling need to find out new and better methods to provide mechanisms to safeguard the survival of these patients.

This study has been presented at the 2012 Symposium on Thoracic Oncology, Chicago.

Source-Medindia