Patient-caregiver Relationship in Cancer Movies of the Last Ten Years: “and the Winner Is”…the Hope!

Background: In recent years among different issues around cancer, also movies have tackled the several aspects of patient-caregiver relationship, having the potential for a fascinating narrative dynamic. The objective of this study is to evaluate the emerging role of caregivers in the last ten years cancer films, analyze the impact of cancer evolution in the relationship caregiver-patient and evaluate the psychological and social implications. Methods: To perform this descriptive study, we searched the last ten years of cancer movies in the main movies database (Allmovie, IMDb, Movieplayer, Mymovies, TMDb) and Google. Each film was viewed by an observer to record patients and tumours characteristics, management, and evolution of the disease and by a psycologist in order to better define the type and the role of caregiver-patient relationship and evaluate the emotional and psycological impact in cancer management. Results: 99 films produced by 16 countries (years 2005-2015) were analyzed. A median number of 9 films for year were released, range: 4 (2014) -16 (2010). In the movies 42 characters with cancer were women, 43 men, and 14 children. The most common cancers were leukemia, breast cancer, CNS tumours and lung cancer (23%; 14%; 13% and 5% respectively). In 26 films the type of cancer was not mentioned. Death occurred 44 times (44% of all movies). Caregiver is the main character in 9 movies. Family members (parents, sisters, brothers and grandparents) represent the caregiver in 44 movies (44%). In 49% of movies the role is covered by a boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, friends, and collegues (16%; 12%, 12% and 6% respectively). Only in 4 movies doctors assume caregiver role. The support of caregiver is not expressed in 9 movies. In 68 movies a significant positive relationship has been recorded and the hope emerges influencing the ability to cope with stressful situations and develop an emotional resilience. Conclusions: The diagnosis of cancer represents a major crisis for patient, involving also caregivers. Therefore, caregiver-patient relationship in these cancers movies reflect some real psychological processes and interpersonal dynamics, as cancer is not only the pathological condition, but also the dinamic transformation of patient in the personal life and interpersonal interactions. Some of the films evaluated could be an useful instrument to support communication and emotional exchange in cancer patient-caregiver relationship.