Exploring the experience of female family caregivers of cervical cancer patients

Cervical cancer remains a significant public health issue worldwide, profoundly influencing the lives of numerous women. A cancer diagnosis affects the patient and often causes family members to make sacrifices to serve as caregivers, playing an essential role in addressing the care requirements of their loved ones battling cervical cancer. Consequently, this study sought to explore the experiences of family caregivers who provide support to women diagnosed with cervical cancer. The research uses a qualitative study, incorporating semi-structured interviews with fourteen selected female caregivers, who were recruited through patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) reporting guidelines have been implemented. The sample size was determined by data saturation, and qualitative thematic analysis was employed to examine the data. Based on the analyses, researchers find that female family experiences of being caregivers and as family members of patients treated for cervical cancer are involved in a focus on patient expressive and practical aspects. However, two main findings stand out as particularly significant for female consanguine in the context of cervical cancer: giving attention to patients and managing caregiver situations. Caring for a cancer patient, even when that individual is a family member, can be challenging. Family members who accompany their loved ones through the cervical cancer journey undergo significant personal transformations and adjustments in their life plans, in addition to facing heightened caregiving responsibilities and attention to them as listeners.