{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T09:16:27Z","timestamp":1785402987398,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785369600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Curr. Oncol.","Current Oncology"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: Palliative care awareness among family caregivers plays a critical role in the timely utilization of supportive care services. However, awareness levels and associated factors among caregivers of cancer patients remain insufficiently explored in T\u00fcrkiye. This study aimed to evaluate palliative care awareness and identify factors associated with awareness among caregivers of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 550 caregivers of cancer patients receiving treatment at oncology clinics. Sociodemographic characteristics, caregiving-related factors, and palliative care awareness levels were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Associations between awareness and explanatory variables were evaluated using chi-square tests. Independent predictors of awareness were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 550 caregivers included in the study, 277 (50.4%) reported no knowledge of palliative care, 141 (25.6%) reported sufficient knowledge, and 131 (23.8%) reported limited knowledge. Higher educational level, active employment, older age, closer relationship to the patient, advanced disease stage, and previous exposure to palliative care services were significantly associated with greater awareness. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, education level (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.35\u20133.15, p &lt; 0.001), employment status (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.23\u20132.61, p = 0.003), age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01\u20131.07, p = 0.004), disease stage (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05\u20131.72, p = 0.016), caregiver relationship (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.18\u20133.17, p = 0.008), and having a relative who had previously received palliative care (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.42\u20133.84, p &lt; 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of awareness. Conclusions: Palliative care awareness among caregivers of cancer patients remains limited. Educational level, caregiving experience, and exposure to palliative care services significantly influence awareness. Strategies aimed at improving caregiver education and increasing public awareness may facilitate earlier integration of palliative care into oncology practice.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/curroncol33080458","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T08:09:42Z","timestamp":1785398982000},"page":"458","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Palliative Care Awareness Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"33","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4347-0366","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fariz Emrah","family":"\u00d6zkan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hacer","family":"Demir","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Semiha","family":"Urvay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Ac\u0131badem Kayseri Hospital, Kayseri 38140, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0317-7552","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ya\u015far","family":"Culha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8178-0277","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Beyza","family":"\u00dcnl\u00fc","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-6376-8399","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Duygu","family":"\u00d6za\u015fk\u0131n","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3817-8934","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sedat","family":"Y\u0131ld\u0131z","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1834-7216","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Canan","family":"Y\u0131ld\u0131z","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-2873-2945","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Merve","family":"Kuday \u00d6zkan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Oncology, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar 03030, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"229","article-title":"Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries","volume":"74","author":"Bray","year":"2024","journal-title":"CA Cancer J. Clin."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2020). Palliative Care, World Health Organization."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, and World Health Organization (2020). Global Atlas of Palliative Care, Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance. [2nd ed.]."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1391","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(17)32513-8","article-title":"Alleviating the access abyss in palliative care and pain relief\u2014An imperative of universal health coverage: The Lancet Commission report","volume":"391","author":"Knaul","year":"2018","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2336","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.24.00542","article-title":"Palliative care for patients with cancer: ASCO guideline update","volume":"42","author":"Sanders","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clin. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"733","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa1000678","article-title":"Early palliative care for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer","volume":"363","author":"Temel","year":"2010","journal-title":"N. Engl. J. Med."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"834","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.2016.70.5046","article-title":"Effects of early integrated palliative care in patients with lung and gastrointestinal cancer: A randomized clinical trial","volume":"35","author":"Temel","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Clin. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1528","DOI":"10.1634\/theoncologist.2017-0227","article-title":"Effects of early integrated palliative care on caregivers of patients with lung and gastrointestinal cancer: A randomized clinical trial","volume":"22","author":"Greer","year":"2017","journal-title":"Oncologist"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1721","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(13)62416-2","article-title":"Early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: A cluster-randomised controlled trial","volume":"383","author":"Zimmermann","year":"2014","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"356","article-title":"Improving patient and caregiver outcomes in oncology: Team-based, timely, and targeted palliative care","volume":"68","author":"Hui","year":"2018","journal-title":"CA Cancer J. Clin."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Batzler, Y.N., Schallenburger, M., Schwartz, J., Marazia, C., and Neukirchen, M. (2024). The general public and young adults\u2019 knowledge and perception of palliative care: A systematic review. Healthcare, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12100957"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1087","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjspcare-2021-003340","article-title":"Public knowledge and attitudes concerning palliative care","volume":"14","author":"Zimmermann","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMJ Support. Palliat. Care"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpainsymman.2023.10.013","article-title":"Knowledge of palliative care and barriers to access among outpatients with cancer","volume":"67","author":"Schlichte","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Pain Symptom Manag."},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"e50258","article-title":"Caregiver knowledge about palliative care in King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study","volume":"15","author":"Bakhsh","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.005","article-title":"Awareness and actual knowledge of palliative care among older people: A Dutch national survey","volume":"66","author":"Bergman","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Pain Symptom Manag."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.47102\/annals-acadmedsg.V48N8p241","article-title":"Palliative care awareness among advanced cancer patients and their family caregivers in Singapore","volume":"48","author":"Ozdemir","year":"2019","journal-title":"Ann. Acad. Med. Singap."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"643","DOI":"10.1017\/S1478951519000154","article-title":"What do family caregivers know about palliative care? Results from a national survey","volume":"17","author":"Ornstein","year":"2019","journal-title":"Palliat. Support. Care"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Taber, J.M., Ellis, E.M., Reblin, M., Ellington, L., and Ferrer, R.A. (2019). Knowledge of and beliefs about palliative care in a nationally representative US sample. PLoS ONE, 14.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0219074"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"431","DOI":"10.1177\/1049909117715215","article-title":"Awareness and misperceptions of hospice and palliative care: A population-based survey study","volume":"35","author":"Shalev","year":"2018","journal-title":"Am. J. Hosp. Palliat. Care"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"136","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjspcare-2021-003072","article-title":"Patient awareness of palliative care: Systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Bahrami","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMJ Support. Palliat. Care"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e70","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpainsymman.2023.09.023","article-title":"Education about specialty palliative care among nonhealthcare workers: A systematic review","volume":"67","author":"Smith","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Pain Symptom Manag."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Moore, C., Gallagher, P., and Dunne, S. (2024). Health literacy, eHealth literacy and their association with burden, distress, and self-efficacy among cancer caregivers. Front Psychol., 15.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1283227"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109222","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2025.109222","article-title":"Impact of a psychoeducational intervention to improve caregiver knowledge and attitudes toward palliative cancer care","volume":"138","author":"Mossman","year":"2025","journal-title":"Patient Educ. Couns."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"546","DOI":"10.1017\/S1478951523002067","article-title":"Effectiveness of a palliative care education program for caregivers of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Port Said City: A pre-post quasi-experimental study","volume":"22","author":"Ibrahim","year":"2024","journal-title":"Palliat. Support. Care"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e3011","DOI":"10.1136\/spcare-2024-004842","article-title":"Early palliative care perceptions by patients with cancer and primary caregivers: Metaphorical language","volume":"14","author":"Bandieri","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMJ Support. Palliat. Care"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Seckin, M., Tiwana, R., Fry, D., and Bailey, C. (2025). Key themes and approaches in palliative and end-of-life care education for the general public: A systematic review. BMC Palliat. Care, 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12904-025-01852-w"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104895","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2024.104895","article-title":"The effect of targeted palliative care interventions on depression, quality of life and caregiver burden in informal caregivers of advanced cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"160","author":"Yan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Nurs. Stud."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102582","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejon.2024.102582","article-title":"Health literacy in cancer care: A systematic review","volume":"70","author":"Ryman","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur. J. Oncol. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chua, G.P., Pang, G.S.Y., Yee, A.C.P., Neo, P.S.H., Zhou, S., Lim, C., Wong, Y.Y., Qu, D.L., Pan, F.T., and Yang, G.M. (2020). Supporting patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers: What are their palliative care needs?. BMC Cancer, 20.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12885-020-07239-9"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"926","DOI":"10.1200\/JCO.19.00018","article-title":"Palliative care for family caregivers","volume":"38","author":"Alam","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clin. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Oechsle, K. (2019). Current advances in palliative and hospice care: Problems and needs of relatives and family caregivers during palliative and hospice care\u2014An overview of current literature. Med. Sci., 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/medsci7030043"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"163","DOI":"10.1093\/annonc\/mdw438","article-title":"Impact of early palliative care on caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: Cluster randomised trial","volume":"28","author":"McDonald","year":"2017","journal-title":"Ann. Oncol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.1093\/heapro\/15.3.259","article-title":"Health literacy as a public health goal: A challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st century","volume":"15","author":"Nutbeam","year":"2000","journal-title":"Health Promot. Int."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"S\u00f8rensen, K., Van den Broucke, S., Fullam, J., Doyle, G., Pelikan, J., Slonska, Z., Brand, H. (2012). Health literacy and public health: A systematic review and integration of definitions and models. BMC Public Health, 12.","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2458-12-80"}],"container-title":["Current Oncology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1718-7729\/33\/8\/458\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T08:56:13Z","timestamp":1785401773000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1718-7729\/33\/8\/458"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8]]}},"alternative-id":["curroncol33080458"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/curroncol33080458","relation":{},"ISSN":["1718-7729"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1718-7729","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]]}}}