Mental Health and Cancer – Coping is a Loved One’s Diagnosis

Objectives

- Explore the unique needs of loved ones and caregivers of people with cancer

Diagnosis

- 650,000+ people die of cancer EACH year

- When someone is diagnosed, the patient and loved ones grieve

- Even if the cancer is “cured” or goes into remission there may be lasting disabilities and/or losses

- Loss of security (health anxiety in the patient and SOs)

- Loss of function or changes in appearance

- Cognitive impairment (“chemo-brain”) impacts attention, working memory, executive function, and processing speed

- Unmet needs of caregivers and patients were associated with increased physical symptoms, anxiety, and reduced QoL

- Not everyone experiences grief in the same way

- Families need to be educated about the grief bill of rights

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