Lung cancer and its impact on patient's spouse: A narrative literature review

Abstract

The spouse is affected by lung cancer throughout the disease's progression, from diagnosis through survival following treatment. This review explores lung cancer's economic, social, sexual, and religious impact on patients' spouses. The reviewed studies show that younger spouses have a more significant economic impact. 74% of spouses had experienced one or more adverse economic or social changes since the patient's illness, and 56% have disengaged from most social and leisure activities. In addition, lung cancer-affected couples believed that intimacy and sexuality issues were salient, but few reported discussing them. Instead, they turn to effective religious coping strategies as a remedy. Therefore, the significant financial burden of treating a spouse's lung cancer should be known to healthcare practitioners.