Romantic relationship, help improve breast cancer survivors’ health

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A latest study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology shows that breast cancer survivors in satisfying romantic relationships feel less stressed and have lower inflammation throughout cancer treatment.

The study examined the health-enhancing effects of romantic relationship as a key health determinant on stress and inflammation of breast cancer survivors.The study included 139 breast cancer survivors, diagnosed with stages 0–IIIC of breast cancer undergoing treatment.

Romantic relationship satisfaction and perceived stress were evaluated by self-reported questionnaires, which were provided at baseline before treatment, and at 6and 18 months after the treatment.

A blood sample was collected at each visit to estimate the serum markers of inflammation. Multilevel mediation analyses were performed to determine the association between the changes in survivors’ relationship satisfaction and changes in stress and inflammation.

At the within-person level, survivors who were satisfied with their relationships had less stress, which was related to lower levels of serum
C-reactive protein and proinflammatory cytokines. Similarly, at the between-person level, breast cancer survivors who had greater relationship
satisfaction had lower perceived stress, which was associated with lower levels
of inflammatory markers.

Increased inflammation in breast cancer survivors increases the risk of cancer recurrence, comorbid disease development and premature mortality. The
inflammation increases when an individual is confronted with a breast cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. Thus,determining the factors that decrease stress and inflammation can improve survivors’ long-term health.

Thus, the findings of the study suggest that breast cancer survivors who are in satisfying romantic relationships are less stressed and have lower
inflammation throughout cancer treatment, which may promote breast cancer survivors’ long-term health.

Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology Volume 118, August 2020, 104708

Source link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030645302030127X?via%3Dihub

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