FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN CANCER: EXPERIENCES, CAPACITIES, AND SOLUTIONS

The cancer diagnosis affects the patients and significantly impacts the lives of family members. Family caregivers face multiple challenges that require empowerment and support from healthcare professionals. Therefore, identifying the caregiving experiences from the perspective of families is essential to empower them to cope with the disease and related problems. Due to the diverse cultures and beliefs in Eastern and Muslim societies, the caregiving experiences in these families may be different, and understanding these experiences is a vital issue due to the lack of transparency. Thus, this study aimed to explore the caregiving experiences and abilities of family members of cancer patients in Iran.

This qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews. Initially, participants were selected purposefully based on the study's objective, and then using theoretical sampling, samples that provided the most information were selected to enter the study. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

In this study, the caregiving experiences of family members in caring for a cancer patient were identified in the main categories and subcategories as follows: 1- Relief with spiritual support: "Submission to the will of God" - "Belief and reliance on spiritual beliefs.", 2- Change in perception and therapeutic thinking of family caregivers: "Hope for improvement and finding appropriate solutions" - "Changing attitudes and perspectives towards the disease based on the effectiveness of treatments and care.", and 3- Therapeutic social support: "Family and friends' support" - "Improving the quality of care for cancer patients in the family" - "Receiving feedback and motivation from the patient."

Family caregivers of cancer patients are looking for all possible solutions to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to care for the patient. Understanding the caregiving experiences of family members as informal caregivers can help plan, counsel, and evidence-based interventions, and make them stronger and more effective in facing cancer challenges. Therefore, understanding and paying attention to the experiences of these individuals can play an important role in improving the quality of care and support for the patients and their families.