Of course, it’s not just race that’s a factor in your chances for survival. The way you live your life plays a big role. And now some scientists are finding that who shares your life might also make a difference. The November issue of the peer-reviewed journal by the American Cancer Society includes a study on the ways in which your personal relationships impact your chances of getting cancer. The research finds that among unmarried cancer patients, those who are separated at the time of diagnosis do not live as long as widowed, divorced or never married people. The results suggest that the stress associated with marital separation may compromise your immune system and make you more susceptible to cancer. Dr. Peter Johnstone is a professor and chair of Radiation Oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine and an co-author of a study on how marital status affects cancer.

Music Button: The Stanley Clarke Trio, “Solar”, from the CD Jazz in the Garden, (Heads Up)