A diagnosis of ovarian cancer can make women stressed, anxious, or depressed. Previous research has shown that both being stressed and having ovarian cancer can increase levels of a protein produced by immune system cells called interleukin-6 (Il-6). Il-6 promotes tumor growth, and the high levels increase a woman's risk of death. However, feeling supported by family and friends might reduce levels of the protein. Researchers from around the country studied women with ovarian cancer to find out.

What the researchers wanted to know: Do ovarian cancer patients with good social support systems have lower levels of Il-6 than patients without support?

What they did: The researchers gave 61 women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer a questionnaire before they had surgery to remove portions of their cancer. All of the patients were asked about their overall quality of life, and about half of patients were also asked about their mood and about their levels of support from family and friends. In addition, all patients had their blood tested for Il-6. Twenty-seven patients had fluid from near the tumor tested for the protein.

What they found: All of the women had high Il-6 levels both in their blood and in the fluid around the tumor. However, women who said they felt more social attachment and support had lower levels of the harmful protein than patients who did not have such support. The researchers said that a feeling of closeness or intimacy with other people could have a protective effect on progression of ovarian cancer. Feeling more anxious or depressed did not change these women's Il-6 levels overall.

What it means to you: It doesn't take a scientist to tell us that close relationships are important during trying times, such as when a woman is dealing with cancer. But this study shows that those relationships, in addition to getting women through the crisis, could also help them on a basic biological level. While social support is by no means a treatment for cancer, and even the most socially attached woman can have a poor prognosis, maintaining close relationships is important to fighting the disease. Women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer may want to consider joining a support group (see links below).

Caveats: This study looked at a group of women at one point in time, so it cannot say whether women with social support had different outcomes, such as an increased survival rate, over women who felt less social support. In addition, it did not look at whether increased social support actually caused the levels of Il-6 to decrease.

Find out more: There are several online resources for women with ovarian cancer looking for support. The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition has a list of those links and a page on how to cope with aspects of ovarian cancer.

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has a webpage with a list of support organizations around the country.

Read the article: Costanzo. E.S. et al. "Psychosocial Factors and Interleukin-6 Among Women With Advanced Ovarian Cancer." Cancer. Published online June 13, 2005, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21147. Published in print July 15, 2005.