Carol Y Ochoa1,2, Natasha Buchanan Lunsford1, Judith Lee Smith1. 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Informal caregiving may likely increase as the number of cancer survivors grows. Caregiving responsibilities can impact caregivers' quality of life (QOL). Understanding the current state of the science regarding caregiving QOL could help inform future research and intervention development. METHODS: A systematic literature review in PubMed/Medline examined research on QOL among informal cancer caregivers and related psychosocial health outcomes. Original research articles in English, published between 2007 and 2017 about caregivers (aged >18 years) of adult cancer patients in the United States were included. Abstracted articles were categorized according to caregiving recipient's phase of survivorship (acute, middle to long-term, end of life/bereavement). RESULTS: Of 920 articles abstracted, 60 met inclusion criteria. Mean caregiver age ranged from 37 to 68 with the majority being female, non-Hispanic white, with at least a high school degree, and middle income. Almost half of the studies focused on caregivers who provided care for survivors from diagnosis through the end of active treatment. Studies examined physical health, spirituality, psychological distress, and social support. Differences in QOL were noted by caregiver age, sex, and employment status. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Additional research includes the examination of the needs of diverse cancer caregivers and determines how additional caregiver characteristics (e.g., physical functioning, financial burden, etc.) affect QOL. This includes studies examining caregiver QOL in the phases following the cessation of active treatment and assessments of health systems, support services, and insurance to determine barriers and facilitators needed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of cancer caregivers.
OBJECTIVE: Informal caregiving may likely increase as the number of cancer survivors grows. Caregiving responsibilities can impact caregivers' quality of life (QOL). Understanding the current state of the science regarding caregiving QOL could help inform future research and intervention development. METHODS: A systematic literature review in PubMed/Medline examined research on QOL among informal cancer caregivers and related psychosocial health outcomes. Original research articles in English, published between 2007 and 2017 about caregivers (aged >18 years) of adult cancer patients in the United States were included. Abstracted articles were categorized according to caregiving recipient's phase of survivorship (acute, middle to long-term, end of life/bereavement). RESULTS: Of 920 articles abstracted, 60 met inclusion criteria. Mean caregiver age ranged from 37 to 68 with the majority being female, non-Hispanic white, with at least a high school degree, and middle income. Almost half of the studies focused on caregivers who provided care for survivors from diagnosis through the end of active treatment. Studies examined physical health, spirituality, psychological distress, and social support. Differences in QOL were noted by caregiver age, sex, and employment status. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Additional research includes the examination of the needs of diverse cancer caregivers and determines how additional caregiver characteristics (e.g., physical functioning, financial burden, etc.) affect QOL. This includes studies examining caregiver QOL in the phases following the cessation of active treatment and assessments of health systems, support services, and insurance to determine barriers and facilitators needed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of cancer caregivers.
Entities:
Keywords:
cancer; informal caregivers; quality of life; social support; spirituality
Authors: Bonnie Teschendorf; Carolyn Schwartz; Carol Estwing Ferrans; Ann O'Mara; Paul Novotny; Jeff Sloan Journal: Cancer Control Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 3.302
Authors: Ulrike Boehmer; Yorghos Tripodis; Angela R Bazzi; Michael Winter; Melissa A Clark Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2016-02-22 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Joseph E Gaugler; William C Given; Jeanette Linder; Ritesh Kataria; Galina Tucker; William F Regine Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2007-09-21 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Alexi A Wright; Baohui Zhang; Alaka Ray; Jennifer W Mack; Elizabeth Trice; Tracy Balboni; Susan L Mitchell; Vicki A Jackson; Susan D Block; Paul K Maciejewski; Holly G Prigerson Journal: JAMA Date: 2008-10-08 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Janet Harden; Martin G Sanda; John Thomas Wei; Hossein N Yarandi; Larry Hembroff; Jill Hardy; Laurel Northouse Journal: Oncol Nurs Forum Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 2.172
Authors: Valentina Donison; Nelly Toledano; Avital Sigal; Katherine S McGilton; Shabbir M H Alibhai; Martine Puts Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-06-04 Impact factor: 3.359
Authors: Dena Schulman-Green; Shelli L Feder; J Nicholas Dionne-Odom; Janene Batten; Victoria Jane En Long; Yolanda Harris; Abigail Wilpers; Tiffany Wong; Robin Whittemore Journal: J Fam Nurs Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 3.818
Authors: Karla T Washington; Jacquelyn J Benson; Daphne E Chakurian; Lori L Popejoy; George Demiris; Abigail J Rolbiecki; Debra Parker Oliver Journal: J Hosp Palliat Nurs Date: 2021-06-01 Impact factor: 2.131
Authors: Maija Reblin; Kristen J Wells; Amy Otto; Rachael McCormick; Laura Rodriguez; Kerie Walters; Steven K Sutton; Bradley Zebrack; Peter Forsyth; Margaret M Byrne Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-03-15 Impact factor: 3.359
Authors: Ru-Yu Huang; Ting-Ting Lee; Yi-Hsien Lin; Chieh-Yu Liu; Hsiu-Chun Wu; Shu-He Huang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-01 Impact factor: 4.614