[Support for and involvement of family caregivers in Comprehensive Cancer Center - an Assessment of the Palliative Care Working Group within the network of Comprehensive Cancer Center funded by the German Cancer Aid].

Background: According to current oncological guidelines, early integration of specialist palliative care (SPC) represents standard cancer care supporting not only the patients, but also their family caregivers. Data on the actual implementation in daily oncology practice in Germany are lacking.

Methods: The Palliative Care Working Group of the network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers certified by the German Cancer Aid (CCC) assessed the implementation of measures for family caregiver support and involvement within the CCC/within SPC in the CCC/local outside the CCC in all 17 CCC locations.