The findings that spouses of cancer patients have physical and emotional quality of life similar to that of patients and that both show a correlation between quality of life and state of disease may enable physicians to provide better mental health care to families, according to an article in the September 20 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The major determinant of emotional distress for both patients and spouses was the state of disease: new diagnosis, diagnosis of recurrent disease, or living with advanced disease. Couples coping with advanced disease had significantly poorer overall quality of life.

Researchers evaluated 263 men with prostate cancer and their spouses. Participants were recruited from three large cancer centers. Both patients and wives completed questionnaires that assessed quality of life, including physical, social, family, emotional and functional issues. Patients and spouses each reported on their own quality of life.

“The spouses of advanced cancer patients are really carrying the load. Cancer is a devastating illness, and a patient’s primary resource is the partner, who often doesn’t have the information she needs to deal with these complex problems. This isn’t just a common cold - this is the person you love and care about dealing with a life-threatening illness,” said lead study author Laurel Northouse, PhD, RN, co-director of the Socio-Behavioral Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Spouses reported lower confidence than patients in their ability to manage the illness, and more uncertainty about the illness. Patients reported more social support than did spouses.

The researchers urged more health care interventions aimed at emotional distress for both patients and caregivers. At the same time, caregivers should recognize they too are emotionally affected by this illness and seek appropriate support. Patients also can play a role by encouraging their spouse to be actively involved in their care.

“Patients need to recognize this illness affects their partners as well as themselves. They need to find a way to be supportive of their partner; for example, including them in interactions with physicians so the partners get the information they desperately want. Work as a team together to deal with the illness. I think patients may underestimate the needs of their partners to get information. Those partners need first-hand information. If they’re able to go into the consultation, they’re able to get their questions answered,” Northouse noted.