The Hidden Cost of Unpaid Cancer Care

Researchers combed through two online databases in mid‑2025 looking for papers on unpaid cancer care and employment. After removing duplicates, they examined roughly 3,900 records. They read 106 complete articles and selected 59 that met the criteria. All numbers were recalculated to match a 35‑hour week and 250 working days each year.

Caregivers gave an average of 45 hours of unpaid help each week. Among those who held jobs, their work hours dropped by 13 percent. They missed about 5 percent of their scheduled work days. Overall workplace productivity fell by 24 percent. Roughly 30 percent reported that their job duties were cut back. About 1 percent of employed caregivers left their positions. Each estimate was accompanied by a 95 percent confidence interval.

Burdens were heavier when the person with cancer had advanced disease. Caregiving during palliative care was especially demanding. Women experienced greater impacts on their work and earnings than men.

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