THE FAMILYS CANCER JOURNEY - A LITERATURE-REVIEW

Cancer is recognized by health professionals as a phenomenon experienc ed by the entire family, not just by the individual member diagnosed w ith the disease. This article is based on an examination of approximat ely 200 clinical papers and research studies written between 1970 and 1991. Four major dimensions of the family cancer experience were ident ified from the literature: developmental stage of the family, cancer i llness trajectory, family responses to cancer, and health care provide r behaviors. The most developed body of literature documents the famil y responses to cancer and health-care provider behaviors directed at t hese responses. Gaps in research knowledge are identified and directio ns and recommendations for future research are outlined.