Repository logo
 

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Psychosocial assessment of lung cancer patients and their caregivers
    Publication . Clara, Cátia; Monteiro, Sara; Bártolo, Ana
    Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common types of cancer disease worldwide. Studies in the field show that the appearance of a pathology of this form causes changes not only in the patient’s life, namely psychological problems, functional limitations and poorer health due to the clinical consequences of treatments, but also in their family, where caregivers often face the challenge of providing long-term daily care that induces a physical, psychosocial and financial burden (Borges et al., 2017; Hewitt et al., 2003; Tan et al., 2018). The main objective of the present study is to compare and relate the two groups (patients and caregivers) considering the quality of life (QoL) and symptoms of psychological distress (anxiety and depression). The total sample consisted of 30 patient/caregiver dyads. The instruments used were: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C-30) and its specific module for lung cancer (LC13); Caregiver Oncology Quality of Life Questionnaire (CarGOQoL) and Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBI). The results suggest the influence of depressive symptomatology on patients’ QoL [F(1)=6.390; p<0.05] and depressive and anxious symptomatology and burden on caregivers’ QoL [F(3)=7.815; p<0.001]. A positive association was found between depressive symptomatology of patients and caregivers (r=0.458; p=0.011) and differences in anxious symptomatology were also observed, with a higher result in the patient’s group.
  • Taking care of an adolescent and young adult cancer survivor: a systematic review of the impact of cancer on family caregivers
    Publication . Neves, Maria Carolina; Bártolo, Ana; Prins, Judith B.; Sales, Célia; Monteiro, Sara
    Research usually investigates adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer in combination with younger and older cancer patients and survivors. However, AYAs with cancer are a unique group, and their caregivers' experience may also differ from other caregivers of cancer survivors. This systematic review aims to understand the impact of a cancer diagnosis on family caregivers, comparing the experience of caregivers of AYA childhood cancer survivors (AYA CCS) and caregivers of AYA with cancer. Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and their quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal checklists. Sixteen studies (17 reports) met the inclusion criteria. Findings were synthesized separately for caregivers of AYA CCS and caregivers of AYA with cancer. Results showed that caregivers in both groups experienced high distress after the diagnosis. Partners of AYAs with cancer experienced diminished quality of life (QoL) and over half reported moderate to high fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Findings indicated that cancer negatively impacts family caregivers, regardless of the patient's age at diagnosis. However, findings are heterogeneous, and most do not focus on QoL or FCR. More research is needed on the impact of cancer among these family caregivers.