Quality of life and depression in caregivers of patients with breast cancer

Abstract

BackgroundCaregivers have a considerable role in caring and recovery of cancer patients. They may experience psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and decreases in quality of life (QOL). Present study aimed to explore depression and quality of life and their relationship among care givers of patients with breast cancer .MethodsIn this cross sectional study, enrolled 63 care givers of women with breast cancer attending IMKH hospital in Iran as outpatients during 2009–2010. In order to assess the QOL and depression, we used Caregiver QOL Index-Cancer (CQOL-C) and Beck Depression Inventory respectively.ResultsWe found depression has strong negative correlation with QOL and participants with depression were more likely to have a poorer overall QOL.ConclusionsDepression has some effects on QOL of breast cancer patients’ care givers. Assistance and giving information through education and intervention from healthcare professionals is the key of improve the ability of caregivers to enhance their QOL.

Evaluation of Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patient Next-of-kin in Turkey

“…Studies examining demographic variables and psychosocial characteristics of caregivers related to QoL found that being a woman, younger age, single, lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, low education (Mellon et al, 2006;Gorji et al, 2012) and also lack of personal and social support (Ogce et al, 2008) affect the QoL negatively. In the present study found that being a widow/divorced, illiterate, and also having breast history affect the total QoL negatively.…”

“…In addition, caregivers of breast cancer patients may be affected by various stressors not only the psychological but also the physical, spiritual, and behavioral aspects (Kim and Given, 2008; Gorji et al, 2012). Previous literatures showed risk for depression, anxiety, improper sleep and diminish QoL can increase in cancer caregivers (Awadalla et al, 2007;Chang et al, 2007;Northouse et al, 2005) and also they frequently report changes in their usual activities, including household and family activities, social and community activities, personal care, and occupational activities because of caregiving responsibilities (Coristine et al, 2003;Grunfeld et al, 2004).…”

Quality of life of caregivers: A cross‐sectional study

“…In addition, caregivers of cancer patients are also reported to have lower quality of life, experience depression more intensively and have lower satisfaction with life compared with caregivers of non‐cancer patients . This finding is explained by the fact that caregivers of cancer patients encounter differ stressors which negatively affect their psychological, social and physical health …”

“…4 This finding is explained by the fact that caregivers of cancer patients encounter differ stressors which negatively affect their psychological, social and physical health. 5 It is known that a vast majority of caregivers in Turkey consist of family members. Thus, the presence of a cancer patient in a family creates a difference in the roles and routine daily lives of caregivers and even in inter-family relationships and causes them to experience problems in adapting new circumstances.…”

Considerations for payers in managing hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer

“…For some women with BC, dealing with adverse reaction management and potential job loss (either through inability to continue or redundancy) is a source of emotional and financial distress, whereas, for others, inability to care for children as a result of severe adverse reactions and the stress of juggling family commitments and hospital appointments might have a negative impact on QOL scores 48. Caregivers of patients with BC may also develop anxiety and depression, which have been shown to have a negative impact on QOL 49. Although data on the relationship between caregiver costs and decreased QOL are limited, factors such as decreased productivity, missed work days, or the cost of treating anxiety and depression in caregivers have the potential to contribute to increases in caregiver cost.…”