Table 1 Sample characteristics
|  | Patient sample (N = 48) |  | Control group (N = 192) |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean age (SD) | 59.9 (13.5) | Â | 59.0 (12.1) | Â |
| Â | N | % | N | % |
Sex | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Female | 22 | 45.8 | 88 | 45.8 |
 Male | 26 | 54.2 | 104 | 54.2 |
Marital status | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Single | 12 | 25.0 | 18 | 9.4 |
 Married/partnership | 29 | 60.4 | 120 | 62.5 |
 Separated/divorced | 4 | 8.3 | 44 | 22.9 |
 Widowed | 3 | 6.3 | 10 | 5.2 |
Highest education | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Elementary school | 1 | 2.1 | 4 | 2.1 |
 Secondary lower/apprenticeship | 29 | 60.4 | 116 | 60.4 |
 A-level | 10 | 20.8 | 40 | 20.8 |
 University level | 8 | 16.7 | 32 | 16.7 |
Cancer diagnosis | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Breast | 4 | 8.3 |  |  |
 Haematooncological | 16 | 33.3 |  |  |
 Lung | 4 | 8.3 |  |  |
 Neuroendocrine | 5 | 10.4 |  |  |
 Thyroid | 10 | 20.8 |  |  |
 Gastrointestinal/colorectal | 3 | 6.3 |  |  |
 Other | 6 | 12.6 |  |  |
Current therapy | Â | Â | Â | Â |
 Chemotherapy | 24 | 50.0 |  |  |
 Radiotherapy | 9 | 18.8 |  |  |
 Nuclear therapy | 11 | 22.9 |  |  |
 Surgery only | 4 | 8.3 |  |  |