A large study in Denmark found that men whose wives or girlfriends had breast cancer were 40% more likely than other men to be hospitalized for mood disorders such as severe depression and anxiety.
However, the overall number of men hospitalized was low: only 180 out of more than 20,000 in the study. The results of the study were published in the September 27 online edition of the journal Cancer, and were recently reported by Business Week.
Being a caregiver can be difficult and emotionally draining work, and these findings suggest that there can be an added health risk for caregivers as well. The caregiver is often a member of the immediate family, and their mental and physical health can have a direct impact on the quality of care they can provide to their loved one.
In an effort to learn more about the needs and experiences of caregivers, we’re conducting a survey to find out what tools and resources would be most helpful to make their jobs easier.
If you have been, or are currently, a caregiver to a loved one with cancer, please take our survey, and forward it to other caregivers you know.
Thanks for helping us support the supporters.