Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
27 September 2013 07:54
People who are married when diagnosed with cancer live longer than those who are not, a study suggests
Married people are more likely than single people to survive cancer, a new study suggests.
Researchers in the US found that married patients tended to have cancer diagnosed at an earlier stage and were more likely to receive appropriate treatment.
Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute worked with colleagues at Brigham and Women's Hospital to review data from 734,889 people diagnosed with cancer between 2004 and 2008.
They focused on the 10 leading causes of cancer deaths in the US, which include lung, colorectal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer.
According to the findings, published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, unmarried cancer patients were 17% more likely to have cancer that had spread, and 53% less likely to receive the appropriate therapy.
But researchers added that support from any loved one could have a positive impact on a patient's chances of survival.
Senior author Dr Paul Nguyen said: "We don't just see our study as an affirmation of marriage, but rather it should send a message to anyone who has a friend or a loved one with cancer.
"By being there for that person and helping them navigate their appointments and make it through all their treatments, you can make a real difference to that person's outcome."
Dr Ayal Aizer, chief resident of the Harvard Radiation Oncology Programme and one of the report's authors, said marriage had a "significant health impact" for patients with all types of cancer.
He added: "We suspect that social support from spouses is what's driving the striking improvement in survival. Spouses often accompany patients on their visits and make sure they understand the recommendations and complete all their treatments."
For those patients who may be planning a holiday with their husband or wife after diagnosis, cancer travel insurance is available to provide extra peace of mind.
12 December 2018
If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, regular home weighing could prevent you from excessive festive eating and drinking.
[more...]
11 December 2018
Airlines that automatically cancel return flights when passengers fail to show for their outbound journeys are being warned they risk breaking consumer law.
08 December 2018
Providing better conditions for disabled passengers is one of the main aims of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.
30 November 2018
Sweating out the daily stresses in a sauna could be linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people aged 50 and over, according to a new study.
29 November 2018
Hitting the Copacabana could soon become a more realistic aim for holidaymakers, with Norwegian set to become the first budget airline to operate UK-Brazil flights.
28 November 2018
Holidaymakers on the UK's proposed new high-speed trainline could have their Amazon packages delivered directly to their seat, according to a train manufacturer.
27 November 2018
Over half of UK frontline medical staff worry their hospitals won't be able to keep patients safe this winter, according to an "alarming" new survey.