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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

Published in:

01-12-2012

Marriage and divorce among young adult cancer survivors

Authors: Anne C. Kirchhoff, Jaehee Yi, Jennifer Wright, Echo L. Warner, Ken R. Smith

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Purpose

We examined marital outcomes among cancer survivors diagnosed during early adulthood from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset.

Methods

Eligible participants were ages 20–39 years. Of the 74,433 eligible, N = 1,198 self-reported a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 18 and 37, were ≥2 years past diagnosis, and did not have non-melanoma skin cancer. The remaining N = 67,063 were controls. Using generalized linear models adjusted for age, gender, race, and education, we generated relative risks (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) to examine survivor status on indicators of ever married, currently married, and divorced/separated.

Results

Survivors were slightly older than controls [33.0 (SD = 3.8) vs. 30.0 (SD = 4.0); p < 0.001]. Average time since diagnosis was 7.4 years. Most common diagnoses were cervical (females; 45 %) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (males; 20 %). Survivors were less likely to be currently married than controls (58 % vs. 64 %; RR = 0.92, 95 % CI 0.85–0.99). Among ever married participants, survivors were at an increased risk of divorce/separation than controls (18 % vs. 10 %; RR = 1.77, 95 % CI 1.43–2.19). Divorce/separation risk persisted for female survivors (RR 1.83, 95 % CI 1.49–2.25), survivors ages 20–29 (RR 2.57, 95 % CI 1.53–4.34), and survivors ages 30–39 (RR 1.62, 95 % CI 1.29–2.04).

Conclusions

The emotional and financial burdens of cancer may lead to marital stress for younger cancer survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors

Young survivors may face a higher risk of divorce; support systems are needed to assist them in the years following diagnosis.

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Title: Marriage and divorce among young adult cancer survivors
Authors: Anne C. Kirchhoff
Jaehee Yi
Jennifer Wright
Echo L. Warner
Ken R. Smith
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0238-6

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for cancer survivors

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