A new study reveals that family members of individuals diagnosed with genitourinary cancers are at a heightened risk for psychological and cardiovascular illnesses. Conducted using data from the Utah Population Database, the research highlights the significant health impact that a cancer diagnosis can have on patients’ first-degree relatives and spouses.
The study analysed 49,284 patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers between 1990 and 2015, along with 77,938 of their first-degree relatives and spouses. These individuals were compared to a control group of 246,775 patients and 81,022 relatives. The results showed that within one year of a family member’s cancer diagnosis, there was a 10% increase in the likelihood of developing a psychological illness and a 28% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the relatives.
This increased risk is thought to be linked to the emotional and psychological stress associated with a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. Family members often face significant caregiving responsibilities, uncertainty, and anxiety about their loved one’s prognosis, which may contribute to poorer mental and physical health outcomes.
The findings emphasise the need for healthcare providers to consider the well-being of patients’ families in cancer care. Addressing the psychological and cardiovascular health risks of relatives could improve overall family support and reduce the negative health consequences linked to cancer diagnoses. The study provides important evidence that the effects of cancer extend beyond the patient, affecting the health of the entire family unit.
Reference
Choudry M et al. Genitourinary cancer and family: The reverberating psychological and cardiovascular effects of a genitourinary cancer diagnosis on first-degree relatives and spouses. Cancer. 2024;1-10.
