The Long-Term Psychosocial Effects of Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment on Children and Their Families

Parents as Advocates for the Psychosocial Survival of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer

“…They have generally focussed on the individual experience of parents including the physical, psychological, and social impacts on them such as the changes they experience to their parenting role (Bjork et al, 2005;Elcigil and Conk, 2010;Quinn, 2005;Schweitzer et al, 2011), the intensification of the parenting role (Long and Marsland, 2011), or their changes in parenting style (Williams et al 2013). By contrast, we focused on the practice of parenting and our results reveal that parental advocacy is a central and persistent feature across the cancer journey.…”

“…Indeed, many closely resemble an intrusion by parents into social settings, such as Schoolies, from which they would normally be absent. One way of interpreting this is to construe parents as being overly-protective (Quinn, 2005;Wakefield et al, 2011). Construing parents as overly-protective tends to demonise them and is an overly simplistic explanation for their ongoing high levels of participation in the lives of their offspring.…”

“…They take steps to control the chaos prompted by diagnosis and attempt to return to normal or re-establish equilibrium in their lives (Bjork et al, 2005), try to remain positive and optimistic (Bjork et al, 2005;Han, Cho, Kim, and Kim 2009;Schweitzer et al, 2011) and seek support from other parents whose offspring is being treated for cancer (Bjork et al, 2005;Elcigil and Conk, 2010;Enskar, Carlsson, Golsater, Hamrin, and Keuger, 1997). Having a child with cancer can also have significant adverse effects on parents, causing stress, fear, and loneliness (Bjork et al, 2005;Elcigil and Conk, 2010;Quinn, 2005;Schweitzer et al, 2011). Some parents report finding benefit in their experience as it changes their perspective on life, uniting their family and inspiring family members to value family relationships more highly than they had before cancer (Norberg and Green, 2007;Quinn, 2005).…”

“…Having a child with cancer can also have significant adverse effects on parents, causing stress, fear, and loneliness (Bjork et al, 2005;Elcigil and Conk, 2010;Quinn, 2005;Schweitzer et al, 2011). Some parents report finding benefit in their experience as it changes their perspective on life, uniting their family and inspiring family members to value family relationships more highly than they had before cancer (Norberg and Green, 2007;Quinn, 2005).…”

What are the long-term effects of treatment on survivors of childhood leukaemia? A review of the literature

“…45 Early detection and interventions can improve the QOL of both cancer survivors and their family by relieving pressures and reducing the extent of problems. 15 Where cure is the aim, it is also necessary that the potential chronic issues do not outweigh the advantages.…”