According to a study published in the April 10, 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, partners of cancer survivors are vulnerable to similar levels of depression and other stressor as the survivors themselves. The study, which evaluated 177 pairs of partners who had been together since cancer treatment, found that 20% of the partners of cancer survivors suffered clinical depression, compared to 22% of the survivors themselves. However, the depressed partners were much less likely to receive mental health treatment. Partners also reported lower levels of social support, marital satisfaction, and spiritual well-being, and higher levels of loneliness, than survivors. The findings demonstrate the importance of addressing the needs of family members who provide care to cancer patients.
For the full report, go to jco.ascopubs.org.
