Coping with Cancer in the Family

Abstract

Cancer presents the affected family with major challenges and disruptions. Family therapists offer a valuable but underutilized resource. Multiple marriage and family therapy approaches may be helpful, if appropriately tailored to characteristics of the illness (e.g., phase of treatment) and the family. This article reviews a number of clinical interventions directed toward the following four core strategies: (a) enhancing communication and emotional contact, (b) accommodating structural changes within the family, (c) facilitating a sense of meaning, and (d) addressing mortality issues.