NCCN issues first guidelines for cancer caregivers to address rising burdens
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network released new patient guidelines to support those managing medications, appointments, and household tasks for cancer patients.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has issued its first-ever guidelines for people caring for individuals living with cancer, according to a report by the Deccan Herald.
The guidelines, titled NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caregiving for People with Cancer, aim to address the physical, mental, and financial challenges faced by caregivers.
The NCCN, which is an alliance of leading cancer centres in the United States, highlights that at least 70 per cent of caregivers balance jobs with other responsibilities, while around 60 per cent live in a separate home from those they care for.
The document includes a specific chapter dedicated to the well-being of caregivers and emphasises the importance of self-care.
Heather Kopecky, a member of the NCCN Foundation Board of Directors who was diagnosed with breast cancer, said that access to clear, trustworthy information gives people the ability to understand choices and have a voice in care.
Anthea A Gray, a rehabilitation psychologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Centre, noted that caregivers often find they are juggling many aspects of life beyond cancer when a loved one is diagnosed.