Impact of family dynamics on cancer progression and patient outcomes: An analysis of emotional and psychological support

Abstract

Background

Cancer is a group of diseases that results from the growth of cells in an uncontrolled way, and in addition spreading of abnormal cells. At the molecular level, Alterations of oncogenes, tumor-suppresser genes, and microRNA genes cause cancer. These alterations of genes usually occur at the somatic level, if they occur as germline mutations, they can cause heritable or familial cancer.

Materials/methods

This is a cross-sectional study which aims to find if there is any relationship between genetic relationship (genes) and cancer development, symptoms severity and prognosis. This study was conducted during the period of January 2022 and August 2022, and consisted of 1998 participants.

Results

There was a statistical difference in the distribution of participants' relative symptoms severity and improvement based on the duration they stayed with those people. Staying for days followed by weeks was the most reported in the group of participants with the same symptoms' severity of the diseased relative. On the opposite side, a longer duration of years was the predominant for worse symptoms of the family members despite the improvement of the patient.

Conclusions

Family history of cancer has been used by epidemiologists as a proxy for a genetically determined predisposition. However, a shared environment and similar lifestyles can also lead to multiple cancers in the same family. Genes' communication has a role in spreading the cancer among families.