Support for families/caregivers of cancer patients

Abstract

With growing number of cancer survivors, support for families and caregivers has become more and more important issue for the oncology professionals and the society as a whole. Families and other caregivers of cancer patients are ubiquitous, stressed, and burdened population with insufficient social and professional support. Early palliative care (EPC) integrated into standard oncology care has been recommended as a standard approach for advanced cancer patients based on the results of some randomized trials. In ENABLE III study1, caregivers of patients assigned to EPC received an additional caregiver-focused intervention, which resulted in lowering levels of depression and stress burden. In ASCO clinical guideline update2, initiation of caregivertailored palliative care support is recommended. The intervention includes telephone coaching, education, referrals, and face-to-face meetings offered by trained nurses, social workers, or other providers. Optimal support for the caregivers is an important area for future research and intervention development.