Implications for practice and research

• A greater understanding of the physical and psychological consequences of anticipatory grief is needed.

• Provision of support for grieving families and carers, including skills in counselling, should be acknowledged as an important part of the nursing role.

Context

Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide accounting for almost one in six deaths.1 A cancer diagnosis affects the patient and their family and their psychological and physical well-being.2 Grief is a complex phenomenon and can occur a considerable time before someone dies,3 4 with complicated grief associated with much distress that can …