The burden of informal caregiving for cancer patients

The informal caregiving for cancer patients is a complex healthcare activity. Experts have suggested that the incidence of cancer cases is expected to rise five fold by the year 2025. Now the major concern that arises is that as the number of cancer cases will increase so is the need for informal caregiving for cancer patients that will rise manifold. The present review paper will throw light on the meaning of informal caregiving and the subjective and objective burden of that the caregivers have to face as a consequence to informal caregiving. Various variables that affect the caregiving burden outcome are also discussed. Several studies carried out on the caregiving burden are also given a lime light in order to come with certain suggestions and future directions to aid the family caregivers of cancer patients to deal and cope with the caregiving role in an efficient manner.