Emotional Effects of Being a Caregiver

Being a caregiver for someone going through a cancer diagnosis can be a very difficult, physically and emotionally grueling job. In fact, being a cancer co-survivor or caregiver can be a serious threat to your own health. Studies show that cancer caregivers also stuggle:

40-50% struggle with probable anxiety
16-32% struggle with probable depression
25% face high financial strain
22% suffer from negative physical health effects
15% have severe pre-loss grief symptoms

In fact, high caregiver strain has been associated with higher mortality rates than non-caregivers.

 

Emotions Experienced by the Family and Friends of Someone with Cancer

  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Uncertainty
  • Anxiety
  • Fear of treatment related side effects
  • Anger
  • Depression
  • Guilt
  • Grief and loss
  • Fear of recurrence

The good news is there are resources available for you, too. Pl