Being a relative on the sideline to the patient with oesophageal cancer: a qualitative study across the treatment course.

Relatives are central to cancer care and treatment. Adequate and timely information is imperative for relatives as well for patients in order to facilitate shared decision-making. We advocate for a new approach to relatives in order to prepare the relatives for their roles and support their individual needs but also to acknowledge relatives' knowledge about everyday life from the relatives' perspective.