Breast cancer survivors in romantic relationships who feel happy and satisfied with their partners may be at lower risk for a host of health problems, new research suggests.

The findings suggest that the relationship itself wasn’t the cure-all, however. Women who were satisfied in their relationships also reported lower psychological stress — and these two factors were associated with lower markers for inflammation in their blood.

Keeping inflammation at bay is the key to promoting health generally, and especially in breast cancer survivors, researchers say. When we’re sick or injured, inflammation promotes healing. But elevated inflammation over time increases survivors’ risk for cancer recurrence and other illnesses.

«It’s important for survivors, when they’re going through this uncertain time, to feel comfortable with their partners and feel cared for and understood, and also for their partners to feel comfortable and share their own concerns,» said Rosie Shrout, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at The Ohio State University.

«Our findings suggest that this close partnership can boost their bond as a couple and also promote survivors’ health even during a very stressful time, when they’re dealing with cancer.»

The research is published online in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Story Source:
Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Emily Caldwell. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.