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Marital stability after breast cancer
M Dorval1, E Maunsell, J Taylor-Brown
1Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|January 16, 1999
Summary
Breast cancer diagnosis does not increase marital breakdown risk in Quebec women. Pre-existing marital dissatisfaction, not cancer, predicted relationship difficulties after diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- Societal beliefs suggest husbands may desert wives diagnosed with breast cancer, causing patient stress.
- This study investigates the validity of this belief by examining marital breakdown rates in breast cancer patients versus control groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if breast cancer is a significant factor in marital breakdown.
- To compare marital breakdown frequencies between women with breast cancer and population-based control groups.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from women newly diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer (1984 and 1990-1992 cohorts).
- Comparison with four population-based control groups recruited via random-digit dialing and health surveys.
- Assessment of marital breakdown, satisfaction, and adjustment at various time points post-diagnosis and in control groups.
Main Results:
- Marital breakdown rates were not higher in women with breast cancer compared to control women.
- Low marital satisfaction within three months of diagnosis predicted subsequent marital difficulties and breakdown.
- Pre-diagnosis marital dissatisfaction was a key predictor of later marital problems.
Conclusions:
- Breast cancer diagnosis was not associated with increased marital breakdown among the studied Quebec women.
- Marital difficulties primarily affected women who likely experienced pre-existing relationship issues before their cancer diagnosis.