Table 1 Background characteristics of the family members in the study group and the patients
| Â | Family members | Patients |
|---|---|---|
All (n = 17) | All (n = 17) | |
n (%) | n (%) | |
Family members’ characteristics | ||
Age | ||
Mean years (range) | 56 (31–77) |  |
Up to 65 years |  9 (53) |  |
From 66 years |  8 (47) |  |
Gender | ||
Female | 13 (76) | Â |
Male |  4 (24) |  |
Own children | ||
Small children or teenagers |  6 (65) |  |
Adult children or grandchildren | 11 (35) | Â |
Living situation | ||
Sharing household with the person with cancer | 10 (59) | Â |
Separate household |  7 (41) |  |
Relationship to the person with cancer | ||
Partner (five wives, three husbands) |  8 (47) |  |
Cohabitant |  2 (12) |  |
Grown child (four daughters, one son) |  5 (29) |  |
Other relative (one ex-partner, one uncle) |  2 (12) |  |
Education | ||
Upper secondary and above | 10 (59) | Â |
Less than upper secondary |  7 (41) |  |
Work status | Â | Â |
Currently working | 11 (65) | Â |
Retired |  4 (23) |  |
Student |  1 (6) |  |
On sick leave |  1 (6) |  |
Patients’ clinical characteristics |  |  |
Age | ||
Mean years (range) |  | 65 (35–88) |
Up to 65 years |  | 12 (71) |
From 66 years |  |  5 (29) |
Gender | ||
Female |  |  7 (41) |
Male | Â | 10 (59) |
Type of cancer | ||
Lung | Â | 10 (59) |
Pancreas |  |  5 (29) |
Stomach |  |  2 (12) |
Cancer treatment | ||
On-going chemotherapy | Â | 17 (100) |
Radiation treatment |  |  1 (6) |
Surgical therapy # |  |  2 (12) |