Fulfilling, romantic relationship can improve breast cancer survivors' health

Fulfilling, romantic relationship can improve breast cancer survivors' health

A new study suggests that breast cancer survivors who enjoy a satisfying, romantic relationship with their partner may be at a lower risk for a host of health problems. The research, published online in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, suggests 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.

This kind of chronic inflammation is linked to numerous health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the frailty and functional decline that can accompany aging.

The findings showed a clear trend in the women as a group: The more satisfied they felt about their romantic relationships, the lower their perceived stress and the lower their inflammation.

The design of the study allowed researchers to compare the group of women to each other and also gauge changes in each woman individually.

Though the findings in this study relate to breast cancer survivors, Shrout said a strong romantic relationship would likely be helpful to people navigating the uncertainty associated with other serious illnesses by lowering their stress.