Quality of life and depression in caregivers of patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Caregivers have a considerable role in caring and recovery of cancer patients. They may experience psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and decreases in quality of life (QOL). Present study aimed to explore depression and quality of life and their relationship among care givers of patients with breast cancer . METHODS: In this cross sectional study, enrolled 63 care givers of women with breast cancer attending IMKH hospital in Iran as outpatients during 2009-2010. In order to assess the QOL and depression, we used Caregiver QOL Index-Cancer (CQOL-C) and Beck Depression Inventory respectively. RESULTS: We found depression has strong negative correlation with QOL and participants with depression were more likely to have a poorer overall QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Depression has some effects on QOL of breast cancer patients' care givers. Assistance and giving information through education and intervention from healthcare professionals is the key of improve the ability of caregivers to enhance their QOL.