PQA 04 - Breast Cancer, Patient Reported Outcomes/QoL/Survivorship, Functional Radiation Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies, Palliative Care, and International/Global Oncology
Presenter(s)
H. S. Vangipuram1, C. Haritha2, V. Sai Shreya3, and V. Shankar4; 1Department of Undergradute Education, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India, 2Dept of Medical Oncology, C.R.Reddy Cancer Center, Nellore, India, 3Dept of General Medicine, Sri Rama Chandra Medical College, Porur, Chennai, India, 4Division of Radiosurgery, Apollo Cancer Centers, Chennai, India
Purpose/Objective(s):
As cancer survival improves, survivorship challenges increasingly extend beyond disease control to encompass social reintegration and quality of life. For many young women in India, marriage functions as a central social determinant, shaping social legitimacy, economic security, and long-term well-being; however, the marriage-related consequences of cancer survivorship remain poorly characterized. This study evaluated the prevalence, timing, and psychosocial correlates of marriage-related stigma among young female cancer survivors pursuing marriage after curative-intent therapy.
Materials/Methods:
This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary oncology center in a Tier-2 urban city in South India. Unmarried women aged 20–40 years who completed curative therapy for solid or hematologic malignancies within the preceding five years, achieved a =2-year disease-free interval, and were engaged or pursuing marriage were enrolled. Participants were assessed at survivorship entry and followed for six months. Marriage-related social outcomes, disclosure practices, and digital matchmaking experiences were documented. Perceived stigma was measured using the Social Impact Scale (SIS; total raw score range 24–96). Psychological distress was assessed using PHQ-9 and GAD-7, and quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30. The primary endpoint was a major marriage-related adverse social event following disclosure (engagement termination, proposal withdrawal, or marriage postponement >6 months). Associations were evaluated using univariable logistic regression.
Results:
Among 50 participants, 80% (40/50) experienced a major marriage-related adverse event during active matrimonial engagement. Median time from disclosure to adverse outcome was 41 days. Selective or delayed disclosure was reported by 10%, while another 10% disclosed with acceptance and no adverse outcome. Mean total SIS score was 67.2 ± 14.4. Participants with marriage disruption had significantly higher SIS scores than those without adverse outcomes (72.4 ± 12.1 vs. 45.6 ± 9.6; p < 0.001). Each 10-point increase in SIS score was associated with higher odds of an adverse marriage outcome (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.04–4.78; p < 0.001). Clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms were observed in 60% and 30% of participants, respectively, and correlated with stigma burden. Social and emotional functioning scores were significantly lower among participants with adverse outcomes. Among digital matchmaking users, 44% reported abrupt communication cessation after disclosure.
Conclusion:
Marriage-related stigma represents a substantial secondary survivorship burden among young female cancer survivors in India, emerging rapidly after disclosure and persisting beyond biological cure. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive psychosocial screening and targeted survivorship interventions addressing disclosure, mental health, and social reintegration.
