(Chicago, IL, Friday, May 3, 2019) – May is Bladder Cancer Awareness month and in 2019, more than 80,000 people will be told they have this disease, including more than 61,000 men and nearly 19,000 women.
While many of these men and women will undergo various treatment options, including surgery, to remove the cancer, many times their loved one assumes the role of the primary caregiver. Caregivers provide physical, emotional, psychological and financial support throughout the journey with this disease.
While little has been known about the physical and mental stress associated with caring for a loved one born with a urologic condition, a new study presented at the 114th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA), suggests primary caregivers of those with congenital urologic conditions experience significant caregiver burden, including a risk of caregiver burnout.
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that can occur when caregivers try to do more than they are able and don’t get take a break when they need. Caregivers who are “burned out” may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression. Many caregivers also feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their loved one.
Based on findings from this study, researchers from across the nation determined physicians can play a key role in lessening caregiver burden by helping individuals become more independent so they are less reliant on their caregivers.
The 114th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association takes place May 3 to 6 at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, IL. Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 22,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.