Burns1

Hanna Burns
Mrs. DeBock
English 4 honors
March 2, 2015

The Effects Cancer Has on Families

A cancer diagnosis not only has a significant impact on the patient but their family members
as well. Cancer brings upon many challenging situations and an immense of stress. Family
caregivers feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities and roles they have to do. Cancer puts the
family at risk since it imposes an alternation in the relations among family members. Cancer can
affect families emotionally, financially, and physically.
According to mother Catherine Murphy, Mentally and physically it was the worst thing that
has ever happened to us, but we came out of it a much closer family. The fact that she is here and
well is a complete relief - there are no words to describe it. It changed my life - but life is good."
(How Cancer Affected our Family). No one knew how much sympathy or tough love to show
towards the patient. Older family members wonder why it was not them, they have already lived
most their lives anyways, why God would chose a child over them. Family and friends just
wanted to be there for the patient and show them love and support (How Cancer Affected our
Family). Joining an organization that supports young people with cancer can help family
members emotionally and physically (How Cancer Affected our Family).

Burns2

Some responsibilities family members are responsible for are emotional support, clean, cook,
help patient deal with depression and anxiety, monitor patients symptoms, manage patients
feelings, make decisions, shopping, provide care and support, child care, and transportation
(Review of the Literature on the Effects of Caring for a Patient with Cancer). Some emotional
problems family members goes through are anxiety, worry, depression, fear, terrified, hopeless,
anger, confused, denial, frustration, guilt, panic, shock, brought the family closer, finding
purpose and meaning, and increased respect of each other (Review of the Literature on the
Effects of Caring for a Patient with Cancer). Some physical problems family members go
through are headaches, back pain, poor sleep quality, drained, tired, muscle tension, loss of
energy, loss of appetite, and loss of weight (Review of the Literature on the Effects of Caring
for a Patient with Cancer). Family caregivers experience many problems and burdens related to
caregiving.
When cancer occurs the whole family is at risk and so are individual family members. Cancer
can often make the family members become angry towards God, medical staff, toward their
family, and fate. According to article, Cancer: a Family at Risk, Objective burden is defined
as specific happenings and activities related to caregiving, for instance, financial problems or
person activity limitations. The high level of anxiety among caregivers may be linked to
concerns of the future, loss of loved one, fear of loneliness, childcare, doing household duties,
caring for a sick person at home, experiencing physical pain, and low self-efficacy (Cancer: a
Family at Risk).
Cancer can affect families emotionally, financially, and physically. Cancer is a disease that
can concern anybody, of any age. When cancer occurs the whole family is at risk and so are
individual family members. Families describe the positive effects and resulting strengths of

Burns3

coping with the crisis of cancer. These changes have long-lasting effects, regardless of the
outcome of the disease.

Burns4

Works cited
Lisa, Mayoh. "This Is How Cancer Affected Our Family." Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne)
(2012): 10. Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
Stenberg, UnaRuland, Cornelia M.Miaskowski, Christine. "Review Of The Literature On The
Effects Of Caring For A Patient With Cancer." Psycho-Oncology 19.10 (2010): 10131025. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
Stenberg, UnaRuland, Cornelia M.Miaskowski, Christine. "Review Of The Literature On The
Effects Of Caring For A Patient With Cancer." Psycho-Oncology 19.10 (2010): 10131025. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.