Individuals are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and psychological illness after a family member is diagnosed with cancer, according to a study published Sept. 9 in Cancer.
Researchers from institutions across the U.S. analyzed data of patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancer between 1990 and 2015 who had first-degree relatives or spouses, from the Utah Population Database. The cohort of 49,284 patients and 77,938 relatives was matched with a similar control group and followed up within one-, three- and five-year periods.
Among patients with genitourinary cancer, their family members had a "10% increased risk of developing a psychological illness and a 28% increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease" one year after diagnosis, according to the study.
"This study provides population-level evidence to support the hypothesis that cancer diagnoses will lead to adverse health outcomes for family members of patients with cancer," the study authors wrote.