Relatives of patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancer may face an increased risk of psychological issues and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease within 1 year of diagnosis, according to a recent study.

In the study, published in Cancer, investigators examined the psychological and cardiovascular outcomes among first-degree relatives and spouses of patients diagnosed with genitourinary (GU) cancer. Utilizing data from the Utah Population Database, the investigators included 49,284 patients with GU cancer diagnosed between 1990 and 2015 and 77,938 first-degree relatives and spouses. A control cohort of 246,775 patients and 81,022 relatives without a cancer diagnosis was used for comparison.

The investigators identified a 10% increased risk of psychological issues (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.20) and a 28% increased risk of cardiovascular disease (HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.17–1.41) among relatives of patients with GU cancer within 1 year of diagnosis. Although these risks persisted, they decreased slightly over 3- and 5-year follow-up periods.

The risk of psychological issues and cardiovascular disease varied depending on the type of cancer. For testicular cancer, family members experienced a 33% lower risk of developing psychological issues (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.53–0.85) and a 37% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.50–0.80). In the case of bladder cancer, there was a 12% higher risk of psychological issues (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.99–1.27) and an 8% higher risk of cardiovascular disease (HR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.95–1.22). For renal cancer, the risk of psychological issues increased by 17% (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03–1.33), but there was no significant increase in cardiovascular disease risk (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.89–1.18).

Proximity to the patient and specific cancer types were associated with variations in these health impacts. Relatives of patients with renal and bladder cancer had higher risks of psychological issues and cardiovascular disease, whereas testicular cancer was associated with a lower risk of adverse outcomes. 

After 5 years, relatives had a 4% higher likelihood of developing psychological issues (HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.00–1.08) and a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular disease (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.10–1.18).

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.