The single life can be a killer. Married people are less likely to die from cancer after being diagnosed than their solo counterparts, finds new research from Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
In the study, non-married cancer patients were 53 percent less likely to receive the right treatment. The reason? Couples have the added benefit of another person to help understand and choose treatment options, says Patricia Mumby, Ph.D., a psychologist with the Loyola University Medical Center.
But the benefits go beyond decision-making: Having someone to take you to the doctor and help with medications may increase your odds of survival, the researchers report.
Even if you’re alone and dealing with a less serious illness than cancer, you can learn from married couples by upping your communication skills, says Mumby. Instead of just listening to what your doctor recommends, repeat important comments right back to her—and specifically ask that she speak in lay language for clarity.
Once you have her thoughts, write down your treatment options, and pros and cons for each, Mumby advises. With the facts on paper, you’ll have a better chance of making the right decisions and following through on them, she says.
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