244 Couples' Daily Health in Breast Cancer Survivorship: Dyadic Associations in Psychological, Physical, and Relational Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Breast cancer survivors who experience psychological and physical symptoms after treatment ends have an increased risk for comorbid disease development, reduced quality of life, and premature mortality. However, survivors in satisfying marriages report lower stress and better health than those in dissatisfying marriages.

METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Research is needed to identify how survivors’ marriages provide these health benefits across the cancer continuum. Including both survivors and their partners’ perspectives can identify key pathways connecting relationships to better health. This study examined survivors’ and their partners’ psychological, physical, and relational health. Breast cancer survivors (stage 0-III) and their partners (n=34 individuals, 17 couples) completed a baseline online survey followed by a 7-day diary study with three ecological momentary assessments across the day. Questionnaires assessed their cancer-related communication, relationship distress, and psychological and physical symptoms.

RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Survivors reported poorer sleep quality and greater fatigue than their partners. Survivors also reported disclosing more thoughts, feelings, and information about cancer compared to their partners. For both survivors and partners, feeling more satisfied with each other’s cancer-related discussions and reporting lower relational distress correlated with fewer physical symptoms, sleep problems, fatigue, and psychological distress.

DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: For both survivors and their partners, feeling more satisfied with how often they talked about survivorship and the cancer experience was associated with better psychological and physical health. This research demonstrates the health benefits and importance of open communication for both survivors and their partners across the cancer continuum.