“You nearly feel a little bit like you’ve less right to grieve”: a qualitative study on the impact of cancer on adult siblings

PURPOSE: Family members of cancer patients experience a range of challenges and are impacted in various ways by cancer. To our knowledge, the impact of cancer on adult siblings has yet to be explored. Sibling relationships are one of the longest relationships individuals have across the lifespan. Thus, the current study sought to investigate the perspectives of siblings of those who previously had cancer. METHODS: Ten participants were recruited using purposive sampling. A qualitative, cross-sectional design was implemented with both virtual and in-person semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The researchers identified five themes relating to both the impact of cancer on siblings and the supports they received: changes in family relationships, sibling’s grief is forgotten, benefits of social support networks, supporting their sibling and caregiving and self-support. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer organizations and support services should focus on signposting services for siblings in order to ensure they can access support. Further research is needed with siblings to gain greater insight into what supports siblings feel are available for them to access, whether there are any for them to access or how supports can be improved. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The provision of appropriate psychological support for siblings of cancer patients will ensure they can provide optimal support and care to their siblings. This will in turn benefit cancer patients along their cancer trajectory as adequate support from their caregivers will enhance their quality of life.