Cancer in the Family: Review of the Psychosocial Perspectives of Patients and Family Members

ABSTRACT

As advances in cancer care have led to more treatment options and longer survival for cancer patients, a focus on quality of life for patients and their families has gained importance. This review provides a discussion of stress and coping theory, documents the relevance of this topic area for social work practice, and illuminates the results of a literature review by emphasizing the perspective from which research was collected within the family system. Recognizing the impact of cancer on the lives of patients, their partners, children, and the family as a whole is an essential factor in providing appropriate and adequate psychosocial services to families facing cancer.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• caregiver
• coping
• family
• psychosocial
• stress

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Diane B. Mitschke

Diane B. Mitschke is Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX.