How Do Parents And Kids Deal With Pediatric Cancer?

Children often take cues from their parents, so being calm and hopeful can help them cope with the challenges of having a child with cancer. Parents should show love and consider how their child and family have handled difficult times in the past. Some children feel better after talking, while others prefer to draw, write, play games, or listen to music.

Parents have a lot to manage after a child is diagnosed with cancer, and there are tips, suggestions, and resources to help them cope in the first few weeks after diagnosis. Parents can learn how to support their children during cancer treatment, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, supportive care for pain and nutrition problems, advanced cancer, and survivorship.

Groving is a primary emotion during this difficult time, and many families go through a grief process following a cancer diagnosis. Coping strategies used by parents include religious practices, prayer, crying, accepting the child’s condition, denial, and communication. Talking to your child about their cancer, acknowledging the uncertainty, and bringing support from friends and family can help ease stress and strengthen relationships.

Relying on what has helped in the past, accepting feelings, and letting people help can help ease stress and strengthen relationships. Emotional and spiritual support has been shown to enhance parental coping to the ordeal associated with caring for children with cancer. Social support is one of the most important variables contributing to reduce psychological effects in parents in the long term.

Parents of children with cancer often feel sad, depressed, or anxious, and responses to stress can include changes in sleeping patterns, appetite, and more. By understanding and supporting your child during this difficult time, you can help them cope with the challenges of cancer treatment and the loss of a loved one.

How does childhood cancer affect the family?

During a child’s illness, emotions like anxiety, guilt, anger, and distress are experienced by all family members, including mothers and children. The child’s cancer impacts the family’s need for care, self-esteem, social interaction, and functioning, leading to parents changing or modifying their roles. The impact of the child’s illness on fathers and mothers’ relationships varies, with some being weakened and others strengthened. A 2010 integrative review found that time since diagnosis is an important factor in a couple’s relationship, with many changes occurring shortly after diagnosis.

After a year, many parents report fewer changes, while after 2-3 years, many report positive changes. After 4 years or more, most parents note little to no additional changes. In times of remission, family life returns to normal, and couples feel a strengthened relationship. If the child’s cancer relapses, the entire crisis process can be reestablished, with some couples reporting greater emotional closeness, while others realize their adverse circumstances reveal the marriage’s strengths and weaknesses.

Do kids survive childhood cancer?

Advancements in treatment have led to a significant increase in survival rates for children with cancer, with 85 of them living five years or more after diagnosis. This is a significant increase since the mid-1970s, when the 5-year survival rate was around 58. Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer and other factors. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children aged 1-14 after accidents, with 1, 040 children under 15 expected to die from cancer in 2024.

How do parents cope with a child with cancer?

To maintain a healthy relationship during the stress of caring for a sick child, it is crucial to make time for each other and share your feelings honestly and openly. This helps you stay connected and make better decisions about your child’s care. Find private times to be together and discuss other aspects of your life, such as your child with cancer. If needed, seek help from the healthcare team or a counselor.

Do something special for your spouse, such as a compliment or extra time for sleep or rest. Respect the different ways each partner copes with stress, as there is no right or wrong way to cope. Be sympathetic and understand each other’s unique ways of coping.

How does cancer affect children mentally?

A recent survey by CCLG found that almost all parents of children diagnosed with cancer felt overwhelmed and grief at the loss of “normal” family life. Issues raised by the survey include how cancer has affected families’ ways of life and the difficulty in coping with stress and anxiety. Over half of the respondents said they were given no information or help on how to cope with emotional distress and shock at diagnosis.

Almost half of parents said their child had grown apart from friends because of their cancer diagnosis, leading to isolation. Treatment often occurs in specialist treatment centers many miles from home, sometimes leading to children being separated from friends and family for long periods of time. Just over half of parents of children with cancer said their child felt isolated from friends when they were in hospital and 47 said their child felt isolated when they returned to school either during or after treatment.

It can be difficult for children with cancer to continue with social activities with their family and friends, particularly when time is spent away from home. This can lead to poorly developed interpersonal skills, feeling isolated, and low self-esteem. Visible side effects from treatment such as hair loss and weight gain can result in low self-esteem.

A cancer diagnosis can also affect siblings, causing friction when the focus of the family routine revolves around the ill child. Siblings may experience post-traumatic stress symptoms, increased negative emotions, and a poorer quality of life in emotional, family, and social domains.

What are the psychological effects of childhood cancer on families?

Parents and siblings of children with cancer often experience distress due to the child’s illness, including anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and emotional distress. Early assessment and intervention are crucial to minimize the negative impact on the child and their family. Factors and interventions that predict better psychological adjustment for children with cancer include high levels of support from family, classmates, school, and the hospital. This helps in addressing the child’s emotional distress and promoting a healthy adjustment process.

How does cancer affect families psychologically?

Expressing your feelings about cancer can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that others may also face similar fears and anxieties. Family members may feel angry, hurt, and fear the change their lives will bring. It’s important to give them space to talk when they feel comfortable. If family members struggle to talk about cancer, they may benefit from talking to a counselor or hospital social worker. If family members deny the reality of cancer, encourage them to accompany you to the doctor or hospital during treatment to help them accept your illness.

How do children cope when a parent has advanced cancer?

It is not uncommon for children to seek constant reassurance from their parents, to prefer physical contact, and to focus on their family life and routines as a means of coping effectively.

How are families affected by childhood cancer?

Parents and siblings of children with cancer often experience distress due to the child’s illness, including anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and emotional distress. Early assessment and intervention are crucial to minimize the negative impact on the child and their family. Factors and interventions that predict better psychological adjustment for children with cancer include high levels of support from family, classmates, school, and the hospital. This helps in addressing the child’s emotional distress and promoting a healthy adjustment process.

How does a parent having cancer affect a child?

Cancer diagnosis can cause emotional and psychosocial turmoil for children, leading to feelings of upset, sadness, confusion, worry, and anger. Shock, fear, disbelief, and numbness are common reactions. However, there are ways to help children cope with the emotional, psychological, and social impact of cancer. There are 5 million children dealing with a parent with cancer, and organizations like Kesem provide support to these children. They are not alone, whether they are recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment, a cancer survivor, or coping with the loss of a parent due to cancer. They are not alone in their journey.

Is it traumatic to have a parent with cancer?

Having a parent diagnosed with cancer can be a frightening experience, especially for grown-ups who may be the first to think about their parent’s death. Depending on the relationship, emotions may range from sadness to anger or guilt. As adults, responsibilities with partners, children, home, and career may require more time and energy to care for their parents. This can lead to stress and anxiety, as individuals may feel caught between the needs of the past and future families.

Additionally, feeling like they should help their parents can also cause stress and anxiety. To make the most of the time with your parents, decide on important events and enjoy them together. This may lead to a closer relationship and increased appreciation for the time together.