Cancer caregivers can be partners, family members, or close friends who become the lifeline of the patient with cancer.1 A 2020 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP Family Caregiving states that more than 1 in 5 Americans are caregivers and have provided care to an adult or child in the past 12 months.2 How much do you know about cancer caregivers?
Cancer caregivers are vital members of the cancer care team. They can have many different roles that evolve over time, depending on the patient’s needs before, during, and after treatment.1 Cancer caregivers can help the patient by setting up physician and treatment appointments; attending to the patient’s physiological needs; and being present to talk and listen when necessary.3 Overall, the number of caregivers in the United States has increased from an estimated 43.5 million in 2015 to an estimated 53 million in 2020.2 However, patients with cancer only account for approximately 3.2 million (6%) of Americans who require caregiving, with their caregivers providing approximately 32.9 hours of care per week.2,4 Public awareness of the challenges facing cancer caregivers, and the resources available to assist them, is imperative to decrease the incidence of burnout among these individuals.
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