Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors

Abstract

As more children are cured of cancer, investigators must be aware of the late effects of the disease and therapy. Late effects have an impact not only on the patient but on the entire family as well. The psychosocial late effects observed among parents of childhood cancer survivors has not been adequately investigated. This study attempted to define the concerns most often expressed by parents of childhood cancer survivors and to investigate the coping mechanisms they use so that the medical community can work toward further improving the outcome for these families. A questionnaire survey of 37 parents of childhood cancer survivors (median time from diagnosis = 11 years) was conducted to address their concerns. The results indicated that parents whose child had completed cancer treatment still had pervasive concerns about their child's future health complications and feared the possibility of relapse. This group of parents showed no definite psychopathologies and in general seemed to derive the majority of support from their partner, with mothers receiving significantly more peer support than fathers. An overwhelming majority of these parents expressed a desire to maintain contact with health care providers for psychosocia1 support and education.