New research reveals, while a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis is bound to strain any relationship, but if a woman is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, whether husband or partner, the man in her life is six times more likely to desert her, than if it was the man who had received the bad news.

The study found an overall divorce rate of nearly 12%, similar to that found in the normal population. However, researchers looking at gender differences found the rate to be nearly 21% for women patients compared to 3% when men were diagnosed with either life-threatening disease. These figures suggest men find it difficult to commit to being caregivers for a sick partner, while women on the other hand are more capable and equipped to assume such home and family responsibilities.

Links were also found between age and length of marriage, including the likelihood of divorce or separation. While, longer marriages tended to remain more stable, however, the older the woman, the more likely the partnership would end.

Study researcher Dr. Marc Chamberlain says, it is mostly self-preservation on the part of men, who don’t feel there is any need for them to nurture their other half diagnosed with this life- threatening illness. Rather, they decide what is best for them and when they find an alternative mate, they simply abandon their fatally flawed spouse.

In 2001 and 2002, the study enrolled 515-patients, who were followed by researchers until February 2006. The study participants, both men and women were spit into groups according to their diagnosis i. e. 214 malignant primary brain tumour patients, 193 who had a solid tumor unrelated to the central nervous system, and 108-patients with multiple sclerosis.

Results were found to be similar for all diagnosis types, with divorce much more likely if the patient happened to be a woman, with the cancer diagnosis affecting not just the patient, but profoundly affecting the entire family.

For example, the patient may have been the sole earning member of the family, or the one to maintain the home, including the fact that brain tumours and multiple sclerosis may change a patient’s personality, making it tough for caregivers.

Despite everything, researchers looking at the quality of life amongst separated or divorced patients found, a patient benefits far more when the family stays together. However, reflecting a lack of social support, such patients were more likely to take anti-depressants, participate less in clinical trials, undergo more frequent hospitalizations, less likely to complete radiation therapy and more likely not to die at home.

The results of the study will be published in the 15th November issue of the journal Cancer.