Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
Published on: May 22, 2026
Health and well-being in older married female cancer survivors
Aloen L Townsend1, Karen J Ishler, Karen F Bowman
1Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7164, USA. alt7@cwru.edu
Objectives:
To investigate differences between older married female cancer survivors and a matched comparison sample on physical health and on effects of health on depressive symptomatology.
Design And Setting:
National survey data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study.
Participants:
Married women who reported having been diagnosed with cancer (N=245) and married women who did not report a cancer diagnosis but who matched the survivors on age, race, and ethnicity (N=245).
Measurements:
Outcome measure was depressive symptomatology (modified CES-D). Predictors were multiple indicators of health and demographic characteristics.
Results:
Cancer survivors reported significantly worse health on all indicators but not higher depressive symptomatology after health and demographics were controlled. Predictors of higher depression were fatigue, pain, and lower education. These effects did not differ between groups.
Conclusion:
Health impairment in cancer survivors highlights the need for ongoing follow-up care. Survivorship was associated indirectly with higher depressive symptomatology through its relationship with health impairment.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cancer Survival Analysis
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer