Who cares, who bears, who benefits? Female spouses vicariously carry the burden after cancer diagnosis

Background and aim: Among couples coping with cancer diagnosis, the effects of gender, role (patient vs. spouse) and patient relationship status (single vs. partnered) on quality of life (QoL) have been investigated with inconsistent results. The present study examined the impact of gender, role and relationship status on male and female patients, their spouses and non-partnered patients. Method: A representative sample of 218 patients with a new primary cancer diagnosis (any type and stage) and their spouses (n = 137), were assessed within 8 weeks of diagnosis. Measures assessed multiple QoL dimensions including health-related and dyadic QoL as well as symptoms of distress: (anxiety, depression, intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal). Results: Multivariate analyses of covariance revealed lower QoL for women versus men, and for spouses versus patients on a number of measures (health-related QoL, satisfaction with dyadic coping, anxiety and intrusions). Conclusions: Female spouses of cancer patients are at high risk of deteriorated QoL immediately after diagnosis, and require special attention to their psychosocial care needs.