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Study: Healthy romantic relationships may decrease stress and inflammation for breast cancer survivors

Satisfying romantic relationships may improve outcomes for women with breast cancer. In a new study, women who were more satisfied with their romantic relationships experienced less stress and lower inflammation. This study suggests that decreasing stress may be beneficial for breast cancer survivors. (7/25/20)

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Contents

At a glance                  Questions for your doctor
What does this mean for me? In depth            
Clinical trials Strengths and limitations
Guidelines Resources


STUDY AT A GLANCE

This study is about

Whether the known impact of romantic relationships—that they reduce inflammation—is because they affect stress levels. This study tests how three factors are linked: how satisfied women are with their partners, how stressed they feel and their level of inflammation. 

Why is this study important?

Inflammation is associated with poorer outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Understanding what factors influence inflammation would allow development of ways to reduce inflammation.

Study findings: 

Breast cancer survivors in satisfying romantic relationships had low stress and low inflammation. How satisfied a woman was in her romantic relationship was a good predictor of her inflammation levels.

But does a woman's satisfaction with her relationship directly lead to lower inflammation? Or do relationships affect stress, which in turn impacts inflammation?

  • Statistical analyses showed that relationship satisfaction indirectly affected inflammation. How much stress a woman perceived was associated with her level of inflammation.
  • Statistical models support the idea that relationships that are satisfying lead to lower stress; not that lower stress leads to relationship satisfaction.

These results show a link between relationship satisfaction, stress and inflammation. However, the data does not show whether these links are causal. For example, it is not known whether one factor (e.g., relationship satisfaction) that is linked  with another (e.g., stress) actually causes the other.  Whether relationship satisfaction leads to differences in stress levels will require additional testing to see whether an intervention to improve relationship satisfaction leads to decreased stress).

What does this mean for me?

Women who were more satisfied with their romantic partners had less stress and lower inflammation. In other words, supportive relationships may lower stress levels and, in turn, decrease inflammation. A woman’s level of satisfaction with her romantic relationship is a good predictor of her inflammation levels.

Although not addressed in this study, women without partners may have other types of relationships that can help reduce stress. A support network may help you cope physically as well as emotionally with cancer treatment and recovery. XRAY reviewed a study that examined how support networks affect breast cancer outcomes. Relationships that satisfy you may be the key factor in maintaining your health.

You may want to consider strategies to reduce stress. Therapies such as meditation, mental health therapy, yoga and massage may help you to actively manage stress. Because stress affects overall health and inflammation, take time for self-care regularly.

Share your thoughts on this XRAYS article by taking our brief survey. 
 

Reference

Shrout MR, Renna ME, Madison AA, et al., Relationship satisfaction predicts lower stress and inflammation in breast cancer survivors: A longitudinal study of within-person and between-person effects. 2020. Psychoneuroendrocrinology 118: 104708. 
 

Disclosure

FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.

 

Expert Guidelines

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends screening and treatment of distress as part of the recommended standard of care. 

These recommendations include:

  • Healthcare providers should inform patients, families and treatment teams that distress management is a key part of cancer medical care, and they should provide information about psychosocial services.
  • Ideally, healthcare providers should screen patients for distress at every medical visit— minimally at a patient’s initial visit and then as clinically indicated, especially with changes in disease status (i.e., remission, recurrence, progression or treatment-related complications).
  • Healthcare providers should assess and manage distress according to clinical practice guidelines.
  • Experts in psychosocial aspects of cancer should be readily available, either as staff members or by referral.
  • Assessments should include psychosocial issues (e.g., quality of life as well as patient and family satisfaction).

Patients should expect to receive distress screening at their doctor visits. If distress is not addressed, they should ask for help. The NCCN provides a "Distress During Cancer Care," a pamphlet that provides more information.

The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) identifies several therapies for anxiety and stress for patients to consider during or after cancer treatment:

  • acupuncture
  • massage
  • meditation, particularly mindfulness stress-reduction programs
  • music therapy
  • stress management therapy
  • yoga 

Updated: 02/06/2022

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

  • Is my symptom(s) part of being distressed?
  • What emotional or psychological support is available for me?
  • What support is available for my partner and family?
  • How do I find a therapist?
  • What help for distress will my insurance cover?
  • Are there resources for couples counseling?
  • What strategies are most helpful for maintaining healthy relationships during this time?
  • What approaches do you recommend for decreasing stress?

Open Clinical Trials

The following studies of the emotional effects of cancer are enrolling patients.

Multiple cancers

Breast cancer

Prostate cancer

Updated: 12/21/2022

Find Experts

Finding mental health experts

Support for severe distress

If you are experiencing severe distress and cannot wait for a referral to a mental health care professional, please call the experts at the National Suicide Prevention Helpline. 

  • The National Suicide Prevention Helpline is a network of crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support for people in suicidal crisis or extreme distress. Dial 988 for help.    

Finding professional support related to cancer distress

The following resources can help you locate a mental health expert in your area. 

Other ways to find experts

Updated: 08/18/2023

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