Perceptions and Experiences of Informal Caregivers of Breast Cancer Patients in South India: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to explore the prevailing perceptions and experiences of caregiving burden among informal caregivers of women living with breast cancer in South India. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted among breast cancer care-receivers (n=35) and their informal caregivers (n=39) and a thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Informal caregiver in the context of this study was defined as one who takes up the responsibility of an informal caregiving role, and were either self-identified or acknowledged by the care-receivers. RESULTS: Four main inductive themes in the domains of: emotional culpability, financial and workplace liability, psychosocial affliction, physical strain and health system demand were identified, that were associated with caregiver burden. CONCLUSION: Informal caregivers form an integral part of the cancer care continuum in India. It is recommended to factor in the identified themes while developing a caregiver needs assessment model in the context of caring for breast cancer patients in the Indian setting.