The burden of metastatic breast cancer on caregiver productivity and quality of life: A survey study in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany

Background

Caring for a patient with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) can impose a substantial burden and can lead to significant productivity losses. However, the extent to which productivity loss impacts caregiver well-being has not been well-elucidated. This study examined the relationship between productivity and other characteristics with quality of life (QoL) to illuminate the multifaceted challenges faced by caregivers in the context of mBC.

Methods

We conducted a one-time, cross-sectional survey of 345 informal caregivers of people living with mBC in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany in December 2021. Caregivers were asked about their QoL using the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) and pre-/post-caregiving productivity impacts. Heterogeneity in reported burden was assessed across a variety of caregiver characteristics.

Results

One in three caregivers changed work status after onset of caregiving, either reducing working hours (12 %), stopping work altogether (13 %), or increasing working hours (8 %). Caregivers who reduced hours or stopped working reported better QoL overall with total CQOLC scores of 71.8 and 65.3, compared to those who maintained or increased work hours (CQOLC scores of 61.3 and 54.4, respectively, [p < 0.001]). While there were no differences in caregiver QoL by patients’ disease status (p = 0.48), longer time spent caregiving was associated with lower burden (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Caregiver productivity and QoL scores indicate leaving the workforce may ease the challenges associated with caregiving, suggesting a need for workplace flexibility to better support caregivers. Our study emphasizes the importance of supporting caregivers alongside patients, acknowledging caregiver well-being can significantly influence patient outcomes.

Policy Summary

Although the burden associated with cancer caregiving has been well-documented, policies supporting caregivers, such as flexible employment leave and mental health support resources, are urgently needed to improve QoL and health outcomes for both patients and their informal caregivers.