Recurrence is a distressing experience for survivors and families because they have to face again psychosocial effects of cancer, such as uncertainty, distress and concerns about death. Care should not be addressed simply to survivors, but should include the general well-being of families beyond their survivorship and support to manage better psychosocial issues occurring when a member has a recurrence of cancer.

Families would like to receive a higher degree of support from mental-health providers. At the same time, families should be considered as important sources of knowledge and support for the treatment of other families living with SMI.