The Vanishing Men: Yours In Health But Not In Sickness

A new sobering study reveals a stark and unsettling truth: when serious illness strikes, women are far more likely to find themselves being abandoned than men.

Apr 20, 2025

With every article and podcast episode, we provide comprehensive study materials: References, Executive Summary, Briefing Document, Quiz, Essay Questions, Glossary, Timeline, Cast, FAQ, Table of Contents, Index, Polls, 3k Image, and Fact Check.

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They stand at the altar, promising “in sickness and in health.” It’s a cornerstone of the vows, a seemingly unbreakable pact forged in the heat of emotion and the hopeful glow of the future. But what happens when sickness truly arrives, uninvited and relentless? What becomes of that promise, especially when it’s the woman who falls ill?

A sobering study, “Gender disparity in the rate of partner abandonment in patients with serious medical illness,” published in Cancerand highlighted in one of your sources, throws a harsh light on the fragility of these vows, revealing a stark and unsettling truth: when serious illness strikes, women are far more likely to find themselves alone than men. The researchers prospectively identified over 500 married patients with malignant brain tumors, solid tumors, or multiple sclerosis. What they discovered wasn't just a rate of divorce and separation within this vulnerable population (around 11.6%, similar to general statistics). It was the staggering asymmetry of that abandonment.

Prepare yourself for this gut punch: women with serious medical illnesses were over six times more likely to be divorced or separated than men with similar conditions (20.8% vs. 2.9%; P < .001). Let that sink in. In nearly 90% of the separations, the affected partner was the woman. This wasn't isolated to one type of illness; it was a consistent trend across brain tumors, general cancers, and multiple sclerosis. Female gender, the study concluded, was the strongest predictor of separation or divorce in each cohort.

This isn’t just a statistical anomaly; it’s a brutal commentary on the societal scripts we still adhere to, the unspoken expectations and the uneven distribution of caregiving burdens. The researchers delved deeper into the brain tumor cohort, where the divorce rate was particularly high relative to the follow-up time. Their multivariate analysis confirmed that female gender held an odds ratio of 10.8 (P < .001) for predicting separation. The only other significant factor? Age under 50, suggesting that the perceived length of the commitment might play a role.

The study offers a possible, albeit uncomfortable, explanation: perhaps the commitment to a relationship with a seriously ill spouse reflects the healthy partner's dedication, and this commitment solidifies more rapidly in women. They cite other research suggesting that men may be less equipped or willing to take on the demanding role of caregiver and household manager compared to women. In essence, the societal expectation for women to be the primary caregivers might ironically lead to a quicker commitment to caregiving when their partner falls ill, while the reverse might not hold true as strongly for men.

Think about the implications. When a man gets sick, his wife is statistically more likely to stay, to navigate the complex medical appointments, the emotional rollercoaster, the sheer exhaustion of caregiving. But when a woman is battling a life-altering illness, her husband is significantly more prone to walk away. Is it the fear of the unknown? The inability to witness vulnerability? The discomfort with stepping into a caregiving role that society hasn't traditionally prepared them for? Or is it something even darker, a transactional view of partnership where the "value" of the sick partner diminishes?

The researchers also explored the consequences of this abandonment. Patients who were separated or divorced fared significantly worse than those who remained married. They experienced greater use of antidepressants, less participation in clinical trials, more frequent hospitalizations, fewer treatment options, and were less likely to die at home. The presence of a dedicated spouse, the study suggests, may be the most crucial element of strong social support for individuals facing serious illness. Losing that support doesn't just inflict emotional pain; it demonstrably impacts the quality of care and the overall outcome. Divorced patients often cited logistic and financial difficulties in accessing healthcare, trouble managing symptoms, and increased stress as contributing factors. Less informed medical decision-making by unmarried patients might also play a role.

This isn’t just a matter of personal heartbreak; it has broader societal implications. It speaks to the gendered expectations we still carry, the way we value and support individuals within relationships, and the disproportionate burden women often bear, even in their most vulnerable moments. The authors themselves recommend that medical providers be particularly attuned to early signs of marital discord in couples facing serious illness, especially when the woman is the one affected early in the marriage. Early intervention and psychosocial support might be crucial in preventing these separations and, in turn, improving the lives and care of patients.

This study isn't about painting all men as callous or all women as paragons of unwavering support. It’s about highlighting a statistically significant and deeply troubling pattern that demands our attention. It forces us to question the narratives we tell ourselves about love and commitment, especially when the comfortable illusions of "health" are shattered by the harsh reality of illness.

The next time you hear those vows, consider the weight they carry, the unspoken gender dynamics that might tilt the scales of commitment, and the profound vulnerability of those facing serious illness. The vanishing act of a partner isn’t just a personal tragedy; it’s a symptom of a society that still struggles with true equality in sickness and in health. It’s a stark reminder that the promise made at the altar might need more than just words; it requires a fundamental shift in our understanding of care, commitment, and the enduring strength of partnership in the face of life's most daunting challenges.

References: Gender disparity in the rate of partner abandonment in patients with serious medical illness

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Briefing Document

Executive Summary:

This study investigated the rate of partner abandonment (divorce or permanent separation) in patients diagnosed with serious medical illnesses, specifically malignant primary brain tumors, solid tumors without nervous system involvement, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The key finding is a significant gender disparity: women with serious illnesses are over six times more likely to be abandoned by their partners compared to men with similar conditions. This phenomenon, termed "partner abandonment illness" for the purpose of this briefing, has negative consequences for the affected female patients, impacting their treatment adherence, quality of life, and potentially their survival outcomes. The study highlights the need for increased awareness of this issue among medical providers and suggests the importance of early identification and psychosocial intervention for couples at risk.

Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

1. Significant Gender Disparity in Partner Abandonment:

The study found an overall divorce or separation rate of 11.6% among the 515 married patients.
Crucially, the risk of divorce or separation was significantly higher when the affected spouse was a woman (20.8%) compared to when the affected spouse was a man (2.9%) (P < .001).
This represents a greater than 6-fold increase in risk for women.
"Stated another way, in 88% of the separations, the affected partner was the woman."
This disparity was consistent across all three disease cohorts: brain tumors, general oncology, and MS.

2. Female Gender as the Strongest Predictor:

Multivariate analysis within the brain tumor cohort identified female gender as "by far the strongest associated variable, with an odds ratio (OR) of 10.8 (P < .001)" for divorce or separation after diagnosis.
Age under 50 was the only other significant predictor in this cohort (OR 6.33, P = .003).

3. Impact of Marriage Duration:

While the initial length of marriage did not differ significantly between men and women in the brain tumor cohort, it was significantly shorter for couples who separated (14.4 years) compared to those who remained married (27.4 years) (P = .0001).
"Combined with the gender disparity, therefore, we propose a model in which the incentive to remain in a relationship with a seriously ill spouse reflects a commitment of the healthy one to the relationship and that this commitment occurs more rapidly in the woman."

4. Negative Consequences of Partner Abandonment:

Patients who experienced divorce or separation after a brain tumor diagnosis fared worse in several aspects:
Greater use of antidepressants (P < .0001)
Less participation in clinical trials (P < .0001)
More frequent hospitalizations (P < .0001)
Fewer salvage treatment regimens (P < .0001)
Less likelihood of completing radiotherapy (P < .0001)
Less likelihood of dying at home (P < .0001)
The authors suggest that logistic and financial difficulties in accessing healthcare, trouble managing symptoms at home, increased stress, and potentially less insightful medical decision-making by unmarried patients may contribute to these poorer outcomes.
"When divorce or separation occurred, quality of care and quality of life were adversely affected."

5. Consistency Across Different Illness Types:

The consistent finding of increased partner abandonment for women across the brain tumor, general oncology, and MS cohorts suggests that this is a broader phenomenon applicable to patients with life-altering medical illnesses in general.
"Because the increased risk of partner abandonment when the woman is the affected partner remained consistent across the 3 diverse patient cohorts, we believe that these findings apply generally to patients with life-altering medical illness."

6. Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Research:

The study recommends that medical providers be particularly attentive to early signs of marital discord in couples facing serious medical illness, especially when the woman is the affected partner and the marriage is of shorter duration.
"Early identification and psychosocial intervention might reduce the frequency of divorce and separation, and in turn improve quality of life and quality of care."
Further research is needed to explore the underlying reasons for this gender disparity, potentially examining societal expectations, caregiving roles, and the emotional and practical burdens faced by partners of seriously ill individuals.

Quotes Supporting Key Points:

On gender disparity: "There was, however, a greater than 6-fold increase in risk after diagnosis when the affected spouse was the woman (20.8% vs 2.9%; P < .001)."
On female gender as a predictor: "Female gender remained by far the strongest associated variable, with an odds ratio (OR) of 10.8 (P < .001)."
On the impact of marriage duration: "At the time of diagnosis, couples that stayed together had been married for 27.4 ± 15.4 years compared with 14.4 ± 9.5 years in those that separated."
On negative consequences: "Compared with patients who stayed together, separated patients fared more poorly, with a greater use of antidepressants, less participation in clinical trials, more frequent hospitalizations, fewer salvage treatment regimens, and less likelihood of completing radiotherapy or dying at home (P < .0001 for all comparisons)."
On the generalizability of findings: "Because the increased risk of partner abandonment when the woman is the affected partner remained consistent across the 3 diverse patient cohorts, we believe that these findings apply generally to patients with life-altering medical illness."

Conclusion:

This study provides compelling evidence of a significant gender disparity in partner abandonment among individuals diagnosed with serious medical illnesses. The disproportionately higher rate of separation and divorce when the female partner is ill has detrimental effects on her quality of life and care. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing this phenomenon, understanding its potential risk factors (such as female gender and shorter marriage duration), and developing strategies for early intervention and support for couples navigating the challenges of serious illness. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the reasons behind this disparity and to develop effective interventions to mitigate its negative consequences.

Quiz & Answer Key

Key Concepts and Themes

Gender Disparity: The central finding of the study is the significant difference in the rate of partner abandonment based on the gender of the ill spouse. Women with serious medical illnesses are far more likely to be separated or divorced than men with similar conditions.
Partner Abandonment Illness: This term, coined based on the study's findings, highlights the phenomenon of spouses leaving their partners after a diagnosis of serious illness, particularly when the woman is the patient.
Impact on Outcomes: The study demonstrates that partner abandonment has negative consequences for the patient's quality of life, quality of care, and treatment outcomes. Divorced or separated patients were less likely to participate in clinical trials, receive multiple treatment regimens, complete cranial irradiation, or die at home.
Predictive Factors: Female gender was identified as the strongest predictor of separation or divorce. Younger age (<50 years) and shorter marriage duration at the time of a brain tumor diagnosis were also correlated with a higher risk of separation in that specific cohort.
Commitment and Caregiving Roles: The authors propose that the disparity may be linked to differences in how quickly and strongly men and women commit to the caregiving role within a marriage when faced with a partner's serious illness.
Social Support: The study implicitly underscores the importance of spousal support for patients with serious illnesses, aligning with existing research on the benefits of strong social networks for cancer patients.
Clinical Implications: The findings suggest the need for increased awareness among medical providers regarding the risk of marital discord, particularly when the female partner is diagnosed with a serious illness, especially early in the marriage. Early psychosocial intervention may be beneficial.
Study Limitations: While the study is significant, it's important to consider potential limitations, such as the specific patient populations studied (brain tumor, general oncology, and MS) and the geographic location of the clinics.

Quiz

What was the primary research question investigated in this study regarding marital status and serious medical illness?
Briefly describe the methodology used in this study to collect data on marital status changes in patients with serious illnesses.
What was the overall rate of divorce or separation observed in the study population after the diagnosis of a serious illness? What was the most significant factor associated with this outcome?
According to the study, how did the rate of separation or divorce differ when the affected spouse was a woman compared to when it was a man? What was the approximate ratio of this difference?
Besides gender, what other factor was found to be significantly correlated with separation among patients with brain tumors in this study?
What were some of the negative clinical outcomes observed in patients with brain tumors who experienced divorce or separation compared to those who remained married? Provide at least two examples.
How do the authors interpret the finding that marriage duration was significantly different between those who remained married and those who separated in the brain tumor cohort?
Based on the study's findings, what do the authors suggest regarding the generalizability of their results to patients with other life-altering medical illnesses?
What potential explanations do the authors offer for the observed gender disparity in partner abandonment in the context of serious illness?
What recommendations do the authors make to medical providers based on the findings of this study regarding marital discord in seriously ill patients?

Answer Key

The primary research question was to examine the effect of gender on the rate of divorce or separation in patients diagnosed with serious medical illnesses such as brain tumors, other cancers, and multiple sclerosis.
The researchers prospectively identified married patients with one of the three conditions and collected demographic information and data on their marital status over time, from enrollment until death or study termination, accepting formal divorce or permanent separation of at least three months as endpoints.
The overall rate of divorce or separation was 11.6%. Female gender was found to be the strongest predictor of separation or divorce after the diagnosis of a serious medical illness.
The study found a greater than 6-fold increase in the risk of separation or divorce after diagnosis when the affected spouse was the woman (20.8%) compared to when it was the man (2.9%). In approximately 88% of the separations, the affected partner was female.
Besides female gender, shorter marriage duration at the time of illness diagnosis was also found to be significantly correlated with separation among patients with brain tumors.
Patients with brain tumors who divorced or separated were more likely to use antidepressants, less likely to participate in clinical trials, more frequently hospitalized, received fewer salvage treatment regimens, and were less likely to complete radiotherapy or die at home.
The authors interpret this finding, combined with the gender disparity, to suggest a model where the commitment of the healthy spouse to remain in the relationship occurs more rapidly in women facing a seriously ill partner.
Due to the consistency of the increased risk of partner abandonment when the woman was affected across the three diverse patient cohorts, the authors believe that these findings generally apply to patients with life-altering medical illnesses.
The authors suggest that men may be less able or willing to undertake a caregiving role and assume the burdens of home and family maintenance compared with women, leading women to commit to the burdens of having a sick spouse earlier in the marriage.
The authors recommend that medical providers be especially sensitive to early signs of marital discord in couples affected by serious medical illness, particularly when the woman is the affected spouse and the illness occurs early in the marriage, suggesting that early identification and psychosocial intervention might be beneficial.

Essay Questions

Discuss the potential psychosocial factors that might contribute to the significant gender disparity observed in partner abandonment among patients with serious medical illnesses, drawing specifically from the information provided in the study.
Critically evaluate the potential impact of partner abandonment on the quality of care and treatment outcomes for patients with serious medical illnesses, using evidence from the study to support your arguments.
The authors suggest that the incentive to remain in a relationship with a seriously ill spouse reflects a commitment of the healthy partner. Analyze this statement in the context of the study's findings, considering the roles of gender and marriage duration.
Considering the findings of this study, what are the potential implications for healthcare professionals in supporting patients and their families facing a diagnosis of serious medical illness? Discuss specific strategies that could be implemented.
Discuss the strengths and limitations of this study in understanding the phenomenon of partner abandonment in the context of serious medical illness. What further research could be conducted to expand upon these findings?

Glossary of Key Terms

Partner Abandonment: In the context of this study, refers to the dissolution of a marital relationship (either through formal divorce or permanent separation lasting at least 3 months) after one spouse is diagnosed with a serious medical illness.
Gender Disparity: A significant difference or imbalance between men and women in a particular outcome or situation, in this case, the rate of partner abandonment.
Prospective Study: A research study where participants are enrolled before the outcome of interest has occurred, and data is collected forward in time.
Cohort Study: A type of observational study that follows a group of individuals (the cohort) over time to examine the occurrence of a particular outcome.
Odds Ratio (OR): A measure of association between an exposure (e.g., female gender) and an outcome (e.g., separation or divorce). An OR greater than 1 suggests an increased risk.
P-value: A statistical measure that indicates the probability of obtaining the observed results (or more extreme results) if the null hypothesis (no association between variables) is true. A small p-value (typically < 0.05) suggests statistical significance.
Multivariate Analysis: A statistical technique used to analyze the relationship between multiple independent variables and a dependent variable simultaneously, allowing for the assessment of the unique contribution of each independent variable.
Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS): A widely used scale that rates a patient's functional impairment due to illness, ranging from 0 (dead) to 100 (no complaints; no evidence of disease).
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM): A highly aggressive and malignant type of brain tumor.
Neuro-oncology: A medical specialty focused on cancers of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Timeline of Main Events

This timeline focuses on the events related to the study described in the provided excerpt.

2001-2002: Patient enrollment and initial data collection for the prospective cohort study takes place at neuro-oncology, general oncology, and multiple sclerosis (MS) clinics.
Time of Diagnosis (2001-2002): A total of 515 married patients are identified and enrolled in the study, diagnosed with either a malignant primary brain tumor (N=214), a solid tumor with no nervous system involvement (N=193), or multiple sclerosis (N=108). Demographic and marital status information is compiled at this point.
Prospective Follow-up (2001/2002 - February 1, 2006): Patients are followed prospectively from the time of enrollment until death or study termination. Data regarding marital status changes (divorce or permanent separation lasting at least 3 months) are recorded.
Throughout the Follow-up Period: Instances of divorce or separation are documented. The median time to separation or divorce after diagnosis is 6 months, with a range of 1 to 14 months.
End of Follow-up (February 1, 2006): Data collection ceases. Marital status at this point is a key variable analyzed.
Data Analysis (Post-February 1, 2006): The collected data is analyzed to determine the rate of partner abandonment, the influence of gender on this rate, and the impact of marital status on treatment and outcomes. Statistical tests, including Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher exact test, multivariate logistic regression, log-rank test, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, are used.
November 3, 2009: The study findings are published in the journal Cancer. The key finding is a significantly higher rate of divorce or separation when the female spouse is the one with the serious medical illness. The study also highlights the adverse effects of partner abandonment on treatment and quality of life.

Cast of Characters (Principle People Mentioned in the Sources)

Michael J. Glantz MD: One of the lead authors of the study. He was involved in patient enrollment and data collection at the neuro-oncology and general oncology clinics.
Marc C. Chamberlain MD: A lead author of the study, also involved in patient enrollment and data collection at the neuro-oncology clinic.
Qin Liu PhD: A co-author of the study who contributed to the statistical analysis.
Chung-Cheng Hsieh ScD: A co-author of the study who contributed to the statistical analysis.
Keith R. Edwards MD: A co-author of the study involved in patient enrollment and data collection at the multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic.
Alixis Van Horn RN: A co-author of the study who likely assisted with patient data collection and management.
Lawrence Recht MD: A co-author of the study, contributing to the overall research and analysis.

FAQ

1. What is "partner abandonment illness" as discussed in this study?

While the study doesn't explicitly use the phrase "partner abandonment illness," it investigates the phenomenon of divorce or separation occurring after a spouse is diagnosed with a serious medical illness, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. The research focuses on the frequency of this event and its potential impact on the patient's treatment, quality of life, and overall outcome.

2. What were the main findings of this research regarding gender and partner abandonment?

The most significant finding was a striking gender disparity in the rate of partner abandonment. The study revealed that when a woman was diagnosed with a serious medical illness, the likelihood of divorce or separation was more than six times higher compared to when a man was the affected spouse (20.8% vs. 2.9%). In nearly 90% of the separations observed, the woman was the partner with the illness. Female gender was identified as the strongest predictor of separation or divorce across all three studied conditions (brain tumor, other cancers, and multiple sclerosis).

3. Were there any other factors identified as being associated with partner abandonment in seriously ill patients?

In the brain tumor cohort, which was analyzed in more detail, younger age of the patient (under 50 years) and shorter marriage duration at the time of diagnosis were also found to be significantly associated with a higher risk of separation or divorce. Specifically, couples who stayed together had been married for a significantly longer period (average of 27.4 years) compared to those who separated (average of 14.4 years).

4. Did the study find any differences in the types of illnesses (neurological vs. non-neurological) regarding partner abandonment?

While the study included patients with primary brain tumors (neurological), other solid tumors (non-neurological), and multiple sclerosis (also neurological), the gender disparity in partner abandonment was observed across all three groups. This suggests that the increased risk of abandonment when the woman is the ill partner is not specific to a particular type of serious illness but may be a more general phenomenon.

5. How does partner abandonment affect the quality of care and treatment outcomes for seriously ill patients?

The study found that patients who experienced partner abandonment fared worse in several aspects of their care and outcomes compared to those who remained married. Separated patients were more likely to use antidepressants, less likely to participate in clinical trials, experienced more frequent hospitalizations, received fewer salvage treatment regimens, were less likely to complete radiotherapy, and were less likely to die at home. These findings indicate that the lack of a stable spousal relationship can negatively impact access to and engagement with medical care, as well as the patient's emotional well-being and end-of-life experience.

6. Why might women with serious illnesses be more likely to experience partner abandonment compared to men?

The researchers propose that the disparity may reflect differences in the commitment and caregiving roles within a marriage. They suggest a model where the healthy partner's commitment to the relationship, especially when facing the burdens of caring for a seriously ill spouse, may develop more rapidly in women. Some prior research suggests that men may be less inclined or less equipped to take on significant caregiving responsibilities and manage household maintenance compared to women. Therefore, a woman might be more likely to commit to the role of caregiver earlier in the marriage than a man.

7. What implications do these findings have for healthcare providers and the support of patients with serious illnesses?

The study highlights the importance for medical providers to be aware of the increased risk of partner abandonment, particularly when a woman is diagnosed with a serious medical illness and especially in the early stages of a marriage. Healthcare professionals should be sensitive to early signs of marital discord in these couples. Early identification of such issues and the provision of psychosocial interventions may potentially help reduce the frequency of divorce and separation, thereby improving the quality of life and care for affected patients.

8. Does the overall rate of divorce among seriously ill patients differ from that of the general population?

The study's findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that the overall frequency of divorce among cancer patients (ranging from 5-17% in prior studies and 11.6% in this study) does not appear to be significantly higher than that observed in well-matched control groups from the general population. The key difference lies in the striking gender asymmetry in who is more likely to be abandoned after a serious illness diagnosis.

Introduction (00:00) Overview of the podcast focus on research about gender disparity in partner abandonment during serious illness.

Study Background (01:30) Details about the 2009 Cancer study, including methodology and the 515 patients with brain tumors, other solid tumors, and multiple sclerosis.

Overall Findings (03:00) Discussion of the 11.6% overall divorce/separation rate and the striking gender disparity discovered.

Gender Disparity (03:45) Examination of the six-fold increase in abandonment when women were ill (20.8%) compared to men (2.9%).

Brain Tumor Cohort Analysis (05:30) Deeper analysis of the brain tumor patient group, showing women were 10.8 times more likely to be abandoned.

Protective Factors (06:45) Discussion of factors that reduced separation risk, particularly longer marriages (27.4 vs 14.4 years).

Health Consequences (08:15) Review of negative outcomes for separated patients, including higher antidepressant use, fewer clinical trials, more hospitalizations, and less likelihood of dying at home.

Potential Causes (10:30) Examination of possible reasons for the difficulties faced by patients who experience separation.

Recommendations (11:30) Researchers' suggestions for healthcare providers to monitor relationship strain and provide support, especially for female patients.

Conclusion (12:45) Final thoughts on the societal implications and importance of support systems for couples facing medical crises.

Index

Abandonment rate, 03:45, 05:30 Age as factor, 06:00, 06:30 Antidepressants, 08:45 Brain tumors, 01:45, 05:30, 06:00 Cancer (journal), 00:45 Caregiving roles, 07:15, 12:15 Clinical trials, participation in, 09:00 Couples counseling, 11:45 Death at home, 09:45 Deep Dive, 00:15, 12:45 Divorce rate, general population, 03:15 Female patients, 03:45, 05:30, 11:30 Gender disparity, 00:45, 03:45, 05:30, 11:00 Heliox, 00:00 Hospitalization frequency, 09:15 Male patients, 03:45, 06:00 Marriage duration, 06:45, 07:00, 11:30 Medical outcomes, 08:15, 09:00, 10:30 Multiple sclerosis (MS), 01:45, 05:00, 11:00 Partner abandonment, definition, 02:30 Psychological support, 11:30, 12:30 Radiotherapy completion, 09:30 Separation, permanent, 02:30, 03:45 Social support importance, 10:45, 12:30 Statistical significance, 04:15, 08:30 Treatment effectiveness, 09:30, 10:00 Younger patients, 06:00, 11:30

Poll

Post-Episode Fact Check

The content of this episode appears to be discussing a real study published in 2009 in the journal Cancer titled "Gender disparity in the rate of partner abandonment in patients with serious medical illness." The key findings mentioned in the podcast align with published research:

The study did find that women with serious illness were approximately six times more likely to experience separation or divorce than men with similar conditions.
The figures cited (20.8% abandonment rate for women vs. 2.9% for men) match published findings.
The study did examine patients with brain tumors, other cancers, and multiple sclerosis.
The protective effect of longer marriages and the negative health consequences of separation (including higher antidepressant use and less likelihood of dying at home) are consistent with published research.

The podcast provides an accurate representation of this research, though it should be noted that this is one study from 2009, and more recent research may have expanded on or modified these findings. The presenters appropriately discuss the limitations and interpretations of the study rather than presenting it as definitive truth.