Study Reveals Marital Status Influences Colorectal Cancer Survival Rates

Recent research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting has highlighted the significant impact of marital status on the survival outcomes of colorectal cancer patients. The study, conducted by researchers including Namrata Vijayvergia, MD, from Fox Chase Cancer Center, analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's SEER database covering cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2021. Participants were categorized into three groups based on marital status: married, single, and separated/divorced/widowed (SDW).

The findings indicated that married individuals consistently demonstrated higher five-year overall survival rates compared to their unmarried counterparts. Specifically, survival rates were approximately 61.2% and 63.1% for married patients in two different periods, whereas single individuals had survival rates of around 51.1% and 54.5%, and SDW individuals fared the worst, with rates of 43.8% and 45.7%.

The study also observed that married patients were more likely to be diagnosed with localized, early-stage cancer, which correlates with better outcomes. The researchers suggest that earlier detection and higher treatment adherence among married individuals could contribute to these disparities. Vijayvergia emphasized that patients with partners tend to demonstrate higher compliance with treatment plans, attend appointments regularly, and report side effects promptly, all of which positively influence survival.

These insights point to a need for more targeted outreach and screening programs tailored to unmarried populations, who often experience worse prognoses. Developing specialized screening efforts for single and separated/divorced/widowed groups could help bridge this survival gap, ensuring equitable access to early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

The study, titled "Effects of Marital Status on Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer," advocates for rethinking current screening strategies to improve outcomes for all patients, regardless of marital status.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-people-colorectal-cancer-outcomes.html