A cancer diagnosis is challenging and frequently terrifying not just for the patient, but it can be difficult for the spouse too.
Highlights:
Spouses of cancer patients are more likely to develop psychological illnesses, revealed a study published in JAMA Network Open.
In a population-based cohort study, Kejia Hu, M.D., of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and colleagues compared the total burden of psychiatric diseases among wives of cancer patients diagnosed in Denmark and Sweden to spouses of individuals without cancer (exposed and unexposed groups). Data for 546,321 spouses in the exposed group and 2,731,574 in the unexposed group with no previous psychiatric illness were included. - Spouses of cancer patients had an increased risk of psychological problems that required hospital-based expert care
- This risk is highest during the first year after cancer diagnosis
- It suggests the need for clinical awareness to prevent probable mental disorders among cancer patients’ spouses
Physical or Mental Stress Before Cancer Therapy may Sabotage Treatment
A new research has suggested that patients who experience physical or psychological stress - including rigorous exercise - one or two days before a cancer treatment might
A new research has suggested that patients who experience physical or psychological stress - including rigorous exercise - one or two days before a cancer treatment might
‘Spouses of cancer patients with a bad prognosis, such as pancreatic cancer, or with advanced stage cancer, or when the patient died during follow-up, had a higher risk of psychiatric disorders.’
Prevalence of Depression and Stress in Spouses of Cancer Patients
During follow-up, the researchers discovered that the incidence rates of first-onset psychiatric disorders were 6.8 and 5.9 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively, for the exposed and unexposed groups (median, 8.4 and 7.6 years, respectively). The incidence of first-onset psychiatric disorders increased over the first year following a cancer diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.30), particularly for depression and stress-related disorders (adjusted hazard ratios, 1.38 and 2.04, respectively).Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Higher Among Spouses of Patients with Advanced Cancer
There was a 14% rise in the risk of first-onset psychiatric illnesses during the study, which was similar for substance addiction, depression, and stress-related disorders. Spouses of patients with cancer with a poor prognosis (e.g., adjusted hazard ratio, 1.41 for pancreatic cancer), cancer in an advanced stage, and when the patient died during follow-up were most at risk (adjusted hazard ratios, 1.31 and 1.29, respectively).“These results support the need for clinical awareness to prevent potential mental illness among the spouses of patients with cancer, especially in these high-risk groups,” the authors write.
COVID-19 Has Major Impact on Psycho-social Care of Cancer Patients, Says Study
Psychosocial needs of people affected by cancer are not being adequately met due to the disruption in services caused by the coronavirus pandemic, stated new research.
Psychosocial needs of people affected by cancer are not being adequately met due to the disruption in services caused by the coronavirus pandemic, stated new research.
Art Therapy and Meditation May Control Stress in Cancer Patients
Stress is extremely harmful for mental and physical health. The scientists suggest that stress is also related with breast cancer patients that could be alleviated with meditation and art therapy.
Stress is extremely harmful for mental and physical health. The scientists suggest that stress is also related with breast cancer patients that could be alleviated with meditation and art therapy.
Life Stress Meter
An interactive lifestyle tool to check out ‘how stressful your life is’ in this competitive and fast paced world.
An interactive lifestyle tool to check out ‘how stressful your life is’ in this competitive and fast paced world.
