Hug Your Spouse Today! Marriage Can Help You Survive Cancer

My husband is incredibly helpful. He’s a better housekeeper than I am, so when I go out shopping or have errands to do I can count on the house being clean when I get home. I don’t think he’s ever been late paying a bill, and he helps me remember my “to-do” list every day. After fifteen years of marriage, I don’t know what I’d do without him because I’ve come to depend on him for so many things.

I’m sure you are thankful for that special someone in your life. Our mates are a best friend, our “go-to” and confidante, but most importantly, they are a lifesaver—literally! A recent study shows that marriage makes you less likely to die from cancer. Married men and women are 20 percent more likely of surviving cancer than single people.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston examined data from 734,800 cancer patients with 10 of the most common cancers such as breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer. Each participant was an American who had been diagnosed with cancer between the years of 2004 and 2008. The study concluded that married people had more favorable results in their cancer treatment than unmarried people.

There are many reasons why marriage is beneficial in cancer survival. An attentive husband or wife may be able to help you recognize that something is wrong with your health and maybe will even notice emerging symptoms. Having a spouse accompany you to your appointments can help with moral support and with understanding the diagnosis. Wives definitely have the “nag factor,” and forcing their husband make a doctor appointment can sometimes make all the difference. Married men have a 23 percent higher chance of surviving cancer than single men, and women’s survival increases by 16 percent if they have tied the knot. Although marriage improved outcomes for all types of cancer, the biggest improvement for survival was for head and neck cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Married folk also have a 17 percent less chance of their cancer spreading, showing that a spouse helps stay on top of diagnosis and treatment. Marriage seems to be on the rise these days, possibly due to the economic downturn as people seek stability and support. This is a good thing, as studies show that married people are happier than people who are cohabitating and definitely happier than people who are single, divorced or separated (Source: Mail Online).

If you are married, say a special “thank you” to your spouse today. It is easy to take each other for granted in daily life, but grateful words never go unappreciated. Our partners are with us through thick and thin, and showing our gratitude and love should be something we do often. So give your spouse a hug, write a note, or buy a small gift for no reason at all. Having a support system for life has countless benefits!