ACUTE MEDICAL PROBLEMS AT A SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER.951

Abstract

Over the past decade, a number of summer camps have been organized for children with cancer. The nature, frequency and type of acute medical problems which occur in this setting are not known. In order to address this issue, we performed a prospective review of all acute medical problems at a camp for children with cancer in Ontario. The camp runs for a one week period in the summer. Over the three years (1993 to 1995) of the study 127 children with cancer attended the camp; the age range of campers was from 3 to 16 years, with 60 children being female and 67 male. The campers had a number of different types of neoplasms, with leukaemia (52%) being the most common diagnosis, followed by CNS tumours (17%) and lymphoma (10%) and a number of neoplasms of miscellaneous types. Over the three years, roughly equal numbers of acute medical problems were seen (1993 - 55, 1994 - 56 and 1995 - 45). The majority of acute medical problems were seen in the mid-week (55%) versus the first third (21%) and the last third (24%). The majority of acute problems occurred among campers (56%) versus camp counsellors (26%) and camp program and support staff (18%). The commonest type of problems seen were lacerations/abrasions (23%), infections (20%) and musculoskeletal injuries(18%); there were a number of miscellaneous other problems. Acute problems with respect to oncologic issues occurred rarely (3%). Over the three years, 5 problems occurred which required a visit to the hospital; 1 fracture, 1 asthma attack and 3 oncologic problems. The majority of acute problems at a camp for children with cancer are similar to acute medical problems at similar camping experiences for children without cancer. Although uncommon, acute oncologic problems can develop and these frequently require attendance at a hospital.