Cancer Caregivers

April 18, 2007

Caregivers of cancer patients often have to keep the household running and take care of their loved ones. Now a University of Florida study shows spouses and partners feel some of the same anxiety even signs of depression as cancer survivors. UF psychologist Michelle Bishop says they’re less likely to have their symptoms noticed.

Bishop: “We found that the same percentage of survivors and spouses, about twenty percent, experienced clinically significant symptoms of depression.”

Researchers studied survivors and partners in the years after treatment and a blood or bone marrow transplant. Results show caregivers in need often don’t seek help.

Bishop: “Spouses were much less likely than survivers to report that they were engaged in any of those four mental helath treatments. And so we are concerned that they may be neglecting their own mental health needs.”

Many survivors report positive changes in relationships with others after battling cancer. But caregivers often don’t experience those possitive changes.

(See related post: )