Role of Caregiver in the Clinical Pathway of Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer

The Role of Caregiver in the Clinical Pathway of Patients Newly Diagnosed With Breast and Prostate Cancer: a Randomized Study

The following randomized longitudinal study will evaluate the long term impact of caregivers' involvement in cancer care pathway, including a psychological support intervention on the dyads to be delivered after the detection of a suspected cancer and before the visit with the oncologist for discussing therapeutic options.

The following randomized longitudinal study will evaluate the long term impact of caregivers' involvement in cancer care pathway, including a psychological support intervention on the dyads to be delivered after the detection of a suspected cancer and before the visit with the oncologist for discussing therapeutic options. Moreover, a battery of self-report questionnaires will be administered, and sociodemographic and clinical data will be collected. The time window in which to deliver the support intervention is after the detection of a suspected cancer and before the visit with the oncologist, at the time when the patient undergoes diagnostic exams (to understand the type of tumor he/she is affected by), and the most suitable therapeutic protocol have to be discussed with the oncologist.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patient:

• Patient aged ≥18 years at the time of recruitment.
• Patients who have just received a cancer diagnosis and have yet to discuss with their oncologist the treatment to undergo after diagnosis of breast or prostate cancer.
• Early-stage cancer (I or II).

Caregiver:

• Age ≥ 18 at the time of recruitment.
• Taking care of the patient.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients:

• Presence of early mental disorders (before age 40) or severe neurological disorder.
• Patients with advanced stage cancer for which the path is already defined (palliative care patients).

Caregivers:

● Presence of early mental disorders (before age 40) or severe neurological disorder.