The effect of the burden of patient care with cancer on family caregivers

Cancer is a major problem that affects today's society. Besides patients suffering from this disease, cancer has also a huge impact on the quality of life of the family. This study aimed to investigate the latest bibliography on the effect of the burden of patient care with cancer on family caregivers. Family caregivers face physical health problems such as physical pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances. Moreover, several psychological effects are shown, in which various disorders such as depression are included. Psychological disorders, also, include adjustment disorder, panic disorder, anxiety, and emotional reactions such as anger, frustration, and fear. In the financial sector, caregivers face several problems due to the coverage of medical needs which are reinforced by reducing or stopping their work because of the care burden. At the same time, they are confronted with social impacts in which loneliness and isolation are attributable to the limitation of their social activities. As far as the age group of the patient is concerned, the effects of caring for young patients are more psychological than physical in opposite to the older people. The burden experienced by the family of the cancer patient exhausts family and it becomes necessary to identify problems and assess their needs. Health professionals should strength caregivers with actions such as psychological support, training, and participation in social and supportive programs in order to improve their personal health and quality of life.