Social Opportunity in the Face of Cancer: Understanding the Burden of the Extended Caregiver Network

Abstract

Over the past few decades, cancer-related research has begun to focus on the psychological and social costs of disease. Quality of life has become an important issue, judged not only by absence of disease, but also by how satisfied the patient is with their day-to-day living. Despite this growing body of literature, there remains a considerable gap in understanding how far-reaching the social costs of cancer actually are. This study was designed to address the needs, behaviors, and social expenditures of groups that are yet to be fully acknowledged in the research body; adult siblings, extended family, and friendship networks and co-workers. The diagnosis of cancer creates change and potential conflict in the lives of these caregivers. It was hypothesized that an extended social network would be profoundly affected by the diagnosis of cancer and that individuals in this network would have needs that were not likely being met as most support and research focuses on the patient and his/her spouse/intimate partner.