A Review of Different Roles of Family Caregivers in Caring Women with Breast Cancer

New changes in the health care system have made cancer care in home settings rather than in-patient situation. The diagnosis of breast cancer in a woman affects all family members and accordingly changes the duties of family members. Family involvement in this patient’s care may consequence better outcomes. Family caregivers can be unpaid family members who help the patient with physical care and the disease process, and they should know their roles to do it better. This study aimed to review family caregivers’ roles in the life of women with breast cancer. 

Database search was done in google scholar, PubMed, science direct, Magiran, and SID. The keywords were Family Caregivers, Breast Cancer, and Role. Research articles published from 1990 till 2017 with the relevant topic were selected for this study. Overall 80 articles were searched and 42 were used. 

 After reviewing these articles family caregivers’ roles were organized in three dimensions. 1) medical-instrumental roles such as screening, diagnosis, treatment, Physical care of the patient, and pain relieve 2) psychosocial roles such as decision making, encouraging and giving hope, emotional and spiritual support, and Strengthen relationships and 3) Roles related to finance such as life cost, providing treatment and care cost and following insurance claims. 

 Family caregivers of patients with breast cancer can learn specific roles to care for their family members or friends to have fewer side effects during caregiving.