Quality of life of mothers of children with cancer in Iran

Physical, psychological and emotional status of mothers of children with cancer as a key element in providing services and care is affected by the disease and makes high tensions for them. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life of mothers of children with cancer in Iran.
In this descriptive study, statistical population consisted of all mothers (900 subjects) of children with cancer were covered by MAHAK charity institution, in 2016. In this account, 210 samples were selected by a convenience sampling. Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer scale was used for measuring the quality of life of mothers.
In terms of mental-emotional burden 20% (20.63±12.51), life style disruption 55.7% (17.02±8.87), financial concerns 68.6% (4.70±3.61), total quality of life score 60.50% (65.86±24.76) of participants had a middle-low status, but according to positive adaptation (21.14±5.28) about 59% and 26.2% had good and very good status, respectively.
The mothers as the primary caregiver to children with cancer bear a great deal of burden of caring. Therefore, highlighting and taking seriously the role of mothers in the planning of the health system, not only the quality of life of families and especially mothers as the caregivers to children with cancer will upgrade, but also children with cancer will gain positive externalities as a result of this attention.