[Support to spouses of patients with cancer]

Psychosocial problems frequently arise in the families of cancer patients. Using a questionnaire, information about the problems experienced by 120 spouses to cancer patients was collected. The response rate was 85%. The results show that the patient and the children are the most important persons in supporting the spouses. Sixty-one percent felt relieved of having somebody to talk to about their problems. The amount of contact to friends and family mainly remained unchanged. Approximately 1/3 of the spouses had to work more than the normal 37 hours a week, which compromised their abilities to support the patients. Professional help was sought by 1/4 of the spouses in an attempt to solve their problems in relation to the patient's disease. Men are more likely to have their problems solved by professional support than women. Among the spouses there is a great wish for information and support offered primarily by the oncological department. It is concluded that the spouses needed more support, wanted more information, and asked for the possibilities to talk about their emotional problems. This need is emphasized by the present strategy in the health system, where still more patients are treated on an out-patient basis. It is important that the professional support is offered from the time of the diagnosis.