The Couple Dimension of Breast Cancer: Relationship Between Marital Functionality and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer.

Background Breast cancer significantly affects the physical, emotional, and social well-being of affected women. Beyond clinical factors, interpersonal dynamics (particularly marital functioning) may influence how patients cope with the disease and perceive their overall quality of life. However, evidence regarding the relationship between marital functionality and quality of life in women with breast cancer remains limited in Mexican populations. Objective This study aims to evaluate the relationship between marital functionality and quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving follow-up care in an oncology outpatient clinic. Methods An observational, cross-sectional, and prospective study was conducted among women with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer attending the oncology outpatient clinic of the General Hospital of Zone with Family Medicine No. 2 of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico. Marital functionality was assessed using the Víctor Chávez scale, and quality of life was evaluated through a standardized quality-of-life instrument. Descriptive statistics were calculated using medians and interquartile ranges (q25-q75). Group comparisons were performed using nonparametric tests, and correlation between variables was analyzed using Spearman's rho. Results A total of 110 women with breast cancer were included. Patients with poor quality of life showed a median marital functionality score of 45 points (q25-q75: 40-70), whereas those with good quality of life presented a significantly higher median score of 70 points (q25-q75: 50-95) (p = 0.002). When quality of life was analyzed according to the level of marital functionality, progressively lower scores were observed among women with moderate and severe marital dysfunction. Correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate positive association between marital functionality and quality of life (Spearman's rho = 0.353, p < 0.001). Conclusion Marital functionality was significantly associated with quality of life among women with breast cancer. Patients with functional partner relationships reported better well-being, whereas marital dysfunction was linked to poorer outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of integrating psychosocial and couple-centered approaches into comprehensive oncologic care to improve the overall quality of life of women living with breast cancer.