Unmet supportive care needs among informal caregivers of patients with cancer: Opportunities and challenges in informing the development of interventions

Internationally, family members or spouse caregivers are critical in maintaining and improving the quality of life of individuals living with cancer. 1 By providing about 70%–80% of patients' cancer care, informal caregivers reduce the demands on the health-care system, with significant economic benefits. 2 Despite their value to society and economy, caregivers remain largely a hidden workforce, taking on their important roles and responsibilities with little to no formal training. This lack of formal training leads to high levels of burden and lower quality of life for not only the caregiver but also the person they are caring for.