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Impact of informal cancer caregiving across the cancer experience: A systematic literature review of quality of life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2019

Carol Y. Ochoa Open the ORCID record for Carol Y. Ochoa [Opens in a new window] ,
Natasha Buchanan Lunsford  and
Judith Lee Smith
Carol Y. Ochoa*
Affiliation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Natasha Buchanan Lunsford
Affiliation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA
Judith Lee Smith
Affiliation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Carol Y. Ochoa, M.P.H, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA90033. E-mail: caroloch@usc.edu
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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.

Keywords

cancerinformal caregiversquality of lifesocial supportspirituality
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 220 - 240
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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