‘Veep’ Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus Still Blissful After 37 Years of Marriage. Study Says Breast Cancer Survivors In Healthy Relationships More Likely to Have Better Health Outcomes

Researchers from Indiana University studied the association between relationship satisfaction concordance and breast cancer survivors’ physical and physiological well-being. The study involved 387 participants – most were breast cancer survivors – and it found that survivors in satisfactory relationships were more likely to have better physical and emotional health. Conversely, survivors with less satisfactory relationships were more likely to have adverse emotional and physical health effects.

The researchers conducting the study walked away from their analysis with the notion that cancer researchers should consider a patient’s relationship and partner “whenever possible” as it can influence overall health outcomes.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is among Hollywood’s most successful actresses starring in hit productions, including “Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld,” and “Veep.”

During the early years of Julia and Brad’s relationship, the couple suffered an emotional fertility setback. In the late 1980s, Louis-Dreyfus learned that their fetus would not make it to term while trying to conceive a baby.

“When I was about 28, I got pregnant for the first time, and I was crazy happy,” Louis-Dreyfus said during her “Wiser than Me” podcast.

“I got pregnant easily. I felt very fertile, very womanly. Then, quite late in the pregnancy, my husband, Brad, and I discovered that this little fetus was not going to live,” she continued.

“That was emotionally devastating, as you can imagine, but it got worse because I developed an infection that landed me in the hospital,” the “Veep” star added.

Continual support from her mom and husband helped her through the emotional time. A couple of years later, she would have two sons.

Julia’s Cancer Journey That Began on a Memorable Night

Louis-Dreyfus was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. Her diagnosis came at an exciting time in her life and career, as she had just won an Emmy.

“The night before, I had won an Emmy. And so, I came downstairs and…the Emmy was there. It was like on the dining room table. I’m coming down to get coffee. My cell phone rings and it’s my doctor saying, ‘Guess what, you have cancer,’” Louis-Dreyfus said, according to People Magazine.

She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Stage 2 breast cancers are either larger than stage 1 tumors or have moved to a few nearby lymph nodes. Treatment will likely be some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. If chemotherapy is also needed after surgery, the radiation is delayed until the chemo is done. The same approach is taken to hormone receptor and HER2 positive as stage 1.

After her diagnosis, she shared the news publicly on her social media channels to an outpouring of support.

WATCH: Early-Stage Breast Cancer Testing

She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy during her treatment. Chemotherapy can cause several side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Your doctor can help you manage some of these side effects. Fortunately for hair loss, while it usually begins about three to four weeks after starting chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment, it usually regrows after treatment concludes.

WATCH: A Double Mastectomy Explained.

During a double mastectomy, both breasts are removed to get rid of cancer. The procedure may also be a preventative measure for women at high risk of developing breast cancer. Afterward, some women decide to have their breasts reconstructed and have implants put in, while others don’t have reconstruction at all.

“A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removing of the tissue,” Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet.

By October 2018, Louis-Dreyfus announced that she was “cancer-free.”

How to Cope When a Spouse Is Diagnosed With Cancer

After a cancer diagnosis, emotions may run the gamut, and grappling with your feelings isn’t easy. While coping with caring for a loved one battling cancer, the spouse must also adjust to a new normal. Feelings ranging from anxiety, sadness, anger, regret, and more may linger. However, healthy ways to cope.

• Talk to a therapist and share feelings you’re going through
• Have an open conversation with your spouse about the diagnosis
• Research the disease and learn about available treatment options
• Join a support group or connect with others who have gone through, or are going through, the same experience
• Spend time with your spouse and have consistent conversations about how you both are feeling

Natalie Wells and Stephen Skip are another couple who shared the impact cancer had on their relationship. Wells was diagnosed with brain cancer. Thankfully, her husband joined her for the emotional rollercoaster after her diagnosis rocked their family.

WATCH: Natalie and Stephen’s relationship was tested amid cancer.

“These little trials and tribulations life throws at you give you a good perspective on appreciating the things you have and not wanting the tangible, physical, petty things that people worry about and stress over,” Skip says. “[She’s] my best friend, my right hand. I couldn’t go on through life without [her]. I love her tremendously.”

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