Psychosocial Support for Oncology Caregivers

Psychosocial Support for Oncology Caregivers

A cancer diagnosis and its treatment affect not only the patient but also family members and close others, emotionally, socially, and in daily life. Caregivers may experience anxiety, uncertainty, sadness, helplessness, fear of losing the patient, increased responsibilities, and caregiver burden; while trying to support the patient they may postpone their own needs or feel they must always “be strong.” These reactions vary from person to person and across different stages of the illness.

Psychosocial support offered to caregivers within psycho-oncology aims to help them understand emotional difficulties, cope with illness and uncertainty, support communication with the patient, recognize needs and limits in caregiving, strengthen existing sources of support, and protect their own life and well-being as far as possible.