Families of cancer patients warned of deadly health risk that strikes a year after their loved-one's diagnosis READ MORE: Weekend lie-ins really could cut the risk of heart disease by a fifth By Emily Stearn, Health Reporter For Mailonline Published: 09:53, 9 September 2024 | Updated: 10:09, 9 September 2024 e-mail View comments Families of cancer patients are almost a third more likely to suffer a potentially deadly heart condition a year after their relative's diagnosis, grim research has suggested. Experiencing a loved one receive a diagnosis is often stressful and traumatic for the entire family. But US scientists who tracked more than 150,000 relatives found they had a 28 per cent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease a year later.
They also had a 10 per cent higher likelihood of developing a psychological illness. Experts today blamed the heightened risk on financial pressures and the emotional impact of treatment, urging health professionals to take these findings into account. Experiencing a loved one receive a diagnosis is often stressful and traumatic for the entire family.
Pictured, bowel cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James with her mother (centre) and daughter. Last year, her mother Heather James told The Times: 'I think we’re all coping. Well, I didn’t last year.
I had a real panic-wobble on the anniversary of her death' Pictured, Dame Deborah James with her husband, two children and the Prince of Wales in 2022 While some warning signs are easy to.