Impact of childhood cancer for family caregivers: integrative review

This is an integrative review that aimed to identify the repercussions of childhood cancer for the family caregiver. The research was done in the databases LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, Adolec and Cochrane, searching articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish; published between 2005 and 2010; using the descriptors: caregivers, children, cancer and nursing. Eighteen articles was found. Through the analysis four themes were identified: feelings experienced by family caregivers; physical repercussions and psychological distress of family caregivers; financial impact of childhood cancer in the caregiver's life, and need for social support to family caregivers. It was concluded that the damage to the caregiver's life can weaken the relationship between child/caregiver, determining the need of effective performance of the health team to offer support, guidance and monitoring.