Indian Association of Health Research & Welfare

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.

Informal caregivers are the family members and friends who provide help and support daily to individuals who are temporarily or permanently unable to function independently. They have to engage in a range of activities. They have a long term commitment to the persons they are helping and are usually not paid for their efforts. In certain Asian cultures, there is a peculiar concept that seems to be playing a great role in aiding people to adhere to their responsibility and derive satisfaction from their role of caregiving. This is known as filial piety.