In 2020 an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases were reported worldwide and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths occurred. According to World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, cancer is the first or second leading cause of death before the age of 70 years in the majorityof the world. According to the Global cancer observatory, Incidence of cancer cases reported in Pakistan in 2020 was178,388. Out of these, the most common cancers in Pakistan were reported to be, Breast, Lip & Oral, Lung, Esophagus, Colorectal and Leukemia etc. This seems to vary slightly from international statistics but can be understood in terms of certain risk factors such as not just genetic susceptibility but also excessive use of tobacco and related products, pollution and poor diets. Cancer not only drastically affects the quality of life of the patients but also that of their family
members/close friends. Caregivers experience stress when patients cannot cope with the symptoms they experience. The stress experienced by caregivers gives rise to not only
psychological but also physical symptoms. The aim of our study was to quantifiably measure this stress faced by the caregivers and its association with the diagnosis/prognosis of the different cancer types. We were also interested in finding out opportunities for helping the caregivers cope better in their difficult time. We felt that by providing support tothese individuals we can reduce the amount of distress theyface, if nothing else, so that they are well equipped to notjust function better in their personal lives, but also indirectlyhave a positive impact on the quality of care that is providedto the cancer sufferers.
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