Helping children cope with cancer‐related PTSD

Abstract

A variety of events have been linked to the development of post‐traumatic stress in children. These events include motor vehicle collisions, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and childhood abuse. The diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer is also a traumatic experience for a child. While clinicians appropriately focus on the child's medical treatment including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, the potential psychological trauma a child experiences during and after such treatment must also be recognized and addressed.