Breast cancer survival ‘higher in women with greater social connections’

Socially integrated women are more likely to experience better breast cancer outcomes, according to a new study.

The Kaiser Permanente study assessed 9,267 women diagnosed with stages 1 to 4 invasive breast cancer, showing that those with the most social ties – such as spouses, community ties, friendships and family members – have significantly lower breast cancer death rates and disease recurrence.

Compared to socially integrated women, the study found that socially isolated women were 43 percent more likely to have a recurrence of breast cancer and 64 percent more likely to die from the disease, as well as being 69 percent more likely to die from any cause.

It was also noted that these findings depended on the woman's demographic, with older white women more likely to be negatively impacted by the lack of a spouse or partner, while non-white women were more susceptible to negative consequences from a lack of friends or relatives.

Lead author Candyce Kroenke, a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, said: "Ultimately, this research may be able to help doctors tailor clinical interventions regarding social support for breast cancer patients based on the particular needs of women in different sociodemographic groups."

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