Evaluating the Correlation of Breast Cancer and Divorce

AONN+ Blog published on September 13, 2021 in Breast Cancer
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS; Co-Founder, AONN+; University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer, Work Stride-Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions

There have been a few studies that look into the correlation between breast cancer and divorce rates. Some point to a correlation, while others do not support the hypothesis.

I have personally seen divorces happen during and following breast cancer treatment. Patients will cry and say their breast cancer caused their husband to leave them. They may believe that their spouse departed due to disfigurement, altered physical image (ie, weight gain, mastectomy, baldness), or emotional neediness that the spouse did not want to deal with.

 
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