A scoping review of the psychosocial challenges of pancreatic cancer on family caregivers

Objectives/ Purpose<br/><br/>Family caregivers are essential members of the care team of someone with pancreatic cancer. Family caregivers often experience substantial psychosocial impact due to the short life expectancy and rapid deterioration associated with pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify and synthesise existing literature on the psychosocial challenges of pancreatic cancer on family caregivers across the disease trajectory.<br/><br/>Sample and Setting<br/><br/>The review included 42 studies: 22 qualitative, 15 quantitative, and 5 mixed methods. These were published between 2001 and 2024, across 11 different countries. Participants of included studies were family caregivers of individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, no restrictions were placed on disease stage, or study setting.<br/><br/>Procedures<br/><br/>A Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) mixed methods scoping review was conducted across four databases in March 2024, updated in November 2024, and reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Data extraction and synthesis was guided by ‘The Cancer Family Caregiving Experience’ model (Fletcher et al., 2012) to map findings to key constructs such as primary and secondary stressors, appraisal, cognitive behavioural responses, and health and wellbeing outcomes.<br/><br/>Results<br/><br/>Family caregivers of people with pancreatic cancer experienced substantial psychosocial challenges including distress related to caregiving responsibility, disruptions in daily life and relationships and high levels of unmet need. Compared to caregivers of other cancer types, this population reported poorer quality of life and an increased risk of various psychiatric disorders. A persistent lack of support was a recurring theme, exacerbating the psychosocial challenges faced. <br/><br/>Conclusion<br/><br/>Pancreatic cancer caregivers face considerable psychosocial challenges compared to other cancer caregivers, exacerbated by the rapid progression and poor prognosis of the disease. Feelings of a lack of support reflected throughout the literature emphasises the need for future research into how this population may be best supported to minimise the psychosocial challenges they face.<br/><br/>Fletcher, B. S., Miaskowski, C., Given, B., &amp; Schumacher, K. (2012). The cancer family caregiving experience: an updated and expanded conceptual model. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16(4), 387-398.