Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms During Treatment in Parents of Children With Cancer

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (30) ◽  
pp. 7405-7410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Kazak ◽  
C. Alexandra Boeving ◽  
Melissa A. Alderfer ◽  
Wei-Ting Hwang ◽  
Anne Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Intensity ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Time Since Diagnosis

Purpose The conceptualization of childhood cancer and its treatment as traumatic has gained increasing support in the growing literature on medically related posttraumatic stress. Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) such as intrusive thoughts, physiologic arousal, and avoidance have been documented in mothers and fathers of childhood cancer survivors. In this study we investigated the presence of PTSS in parents of children currently in treatment and their association with treatment intensity and length of time since diagnosis. Methods Mothers (N = 119) and fathers (N = 52) of children currently in treatment for a childhood malignancy completed questionnaire measures of PTSS. Outcomes on these measures were compared with a sample of parents of childhood cancer survivors from our hospital. Oncologist ratings of treatment intensity were obtained based on diagnosis, treatment modalities, and protocol number. Results All but one parent reported PTSS. Mean scores indicated moderate PTSS for both mothers and fathers. In families with two participating parents, nearly 80% had at least one parent with moderate-to-severe PTSS. There were minimal associations between PTSS and length of time since diagnosis. Conclusion PTSS are common among parents of children currently undergoing cancer treatment. Trauma-informed psychosocial interventions can be used to help patients and families, including normalizing the experience as potentially traumatic and using evidence-based interventions that are emerging to facilitate long-term well-being.

Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Childhood Cancer Survivors

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 958-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Stuber ◽  
A. E. Kazak ◽  
K. Meeske ◽  
L. Barakat ◽  
D. Guthrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Stress Symptoms

Patterns of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Parents of Childhood Cancer Survivors.

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Alderfer ◽  
Avital Cnaan ◽  
Rachel A. Annunziato ◽  
Anne E. Kazak
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Stress Symptoms

scholarly journals A vulnerable age group: the impact of cancer on the psychosocial well-being of young adult childhood cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. E. van Erp ◽  
H. Maurice-Stam ◽  
L. C. M. Kremer ◽  
W. J. E. Tissing ◽  
H. J. H. van der Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Time Since Diagnosis

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to increase our understanding of the psychosocial well-being of young adult childhood cancer survivors (YACCS) as well as the positive and negative impacts of cancer. Methods YACCS (aged 18–30, diagnosed ≤ 18, time since diagnosis ≥ 5 years) cross-sectionally filled out the “Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Young Adults” (PedsQL-YA), “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale” (HADS), and “Checklist Individual Strengths” (CIS-20R) to measure fatigue and survivor-specific “Impact of Cancer - Childhood Survivors” (IOC-CS), which measures the long-term impact of childhood cancer in several domains. Descriptive statistics (IOC-CS), logistic regression (HADS, CIS-20R), and ANOVA (PedsQL-YA, HADS, CIS-20R) were performed. Associations between positive and negative impacts of childhood cancer and psychosocial outcomes were examined with linear regression analyses. Results YACCS (N = 151, 61.6% female, mean age 24.1 ± 3.6, mean time since diagnosis 13.6 ± 3.8) reported lower HRQOL (− .4 ≤ d ≤ − .5, p ≤ .001) and more anxiety (d = .4, p ≤ .001), depression (d = .4, p ≤ .01), and fatigue (.3 ≤ d ≤ .5, p ≤ .001) than young adults from the general Dutch population. They were at an increased risk of experiencing (sub)clinical anxiety (OR = 1.8, p = .017). YACCS reported more impact on scales representing a positive rather than negative impact of CC. Various domains of impact of childhood cancer were related to psychosocial outcomes, especially “Life Challenges” (HRQOL β = − .18, anxiety β = .36, depression β = .29) and “Body & Health” (HRQOL β = .27, anxiety β = − .25, depression β = − .26, fatigue β = − .47). Conclusion YACCS are vulnerable to psychosocial difficulties, but they also experience positive long-term impacts of childhood cancer. Positive and negative impacts of childhood cancer were associated with psychosocial outcomes in YACCS. Screening of psychosocial outcomes and offering targeted interventions are necessary to optimize psychosocial long-term follow-up care for YACCS.

scholarly journals Validation of questionnaire-reported chest wall abnormalities with a telephone interview in Swiss childhood cancer survivors

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahel Kasteler ◽  
Christa Lichtensteiger ◽  
Christina Schindera ◽  
Marc Ansari ◽  
Claudia E. Kuehni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Chest Wall ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Thoracic Wall ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Chest wall abnormalities are a poorly studied complication after treatment for childhood cancer. Chest wall abnormalities are not well-described in the literature, and little is known on the impact on daily life of survivors. Methods We investigated prevalence and risk factors of chest wall abnormalities in childhood cancer survivors in a nationwide, population-based cohort study (Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study) with a questionnaire survey. We then interviewed a nested sample of survivors to validate types of chest wall abnormalities and understand their impact on the daily life of survivors. Results Forty-eight of 2382 (95%CI 2–3%) survivors reported a chest wall abnormality. Risk factors were older age at cancer diagnosis (16–20 years; OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.0–6.1), lymphoma (OR 3.8, 95%CI 1.2–11.4), and central nervous system tumors (OR 9.5, 95%CI 3.0–30.1) as underlying disease, and treatment with thoracic radiotherapy (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.0–4.2), surgery to the chest (OR 4.5, 95%CI 1.8–11.5), or chemotherapy (OR 2.9, 95%CI 1.0–8.1). The nature of the chest wall abnormalities varied and included thoracic wall deformities (30%), deformations of the spine (5%) or both (55%), and scars (10%). Chest wall abnormalities affected daily life in two thirds (13/20) of those who reported these problems and necessitated medical attention for 15 (75%) survivors. Conclusion It is important that, during follow-up care, physicians pay attention to chest wall abnormalities, which are rare late effects of cancer treatment, but can considerably affect the well-being of cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Fear of progression in parents of childhood cancer survivors: prevalence and associated factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona L. Peikert ◽  
Laura Inhestern ◽  
Konstantin A. Krauth ◽  
Gabriele Escherich ◽  
Stefan Rutkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Pediatric Cancer ◽  
Coping Style ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cns Tumor ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Fear Of Progression ◽  
Pediatric Cancer Survivors

Abstract Purpose Recent research demonstrated that fear of progression (FoP) is a major burden for adult cancer survivors. However, knowledge on FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is scarce. This study aimed to determine the proportion of parents who show dysfunctional levels of FoP, to investigate gender differences, and to examine factors associated with FoP in mothers and fathers. Methods Five hundred sixteen parents of pediatric cancer survivors (aged 0–17 years at diagnosis of leukemia or central nervous system (CNS) tumor) were consecutively recruited after the end of intensive cancer treatment. We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses for mothers and fathers and integrated parent-, patient-, and family-related factors in the models. Results Significantly more mothers (54%) than fathers (41%) suffered from dysfunctional levels of FoP. Maternal FoP was significantly associated with depression, a medical coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and lower family functioning (adjusted R2 = .30, p < .001). Paternal FoP was significantly associated with a lower level of education, depression, a family coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and fewer siblings (adjusted R2 = .48, p < .001). Conclusions FoP represents a great burden for parents of pediatric cancer survivors. We identified associated factors of parental FoP. Some of these factors can be targeted by health care professionals within psychosocial interventions and others can provide an indication for an increased risk for higher levels of FoP. Implications for Cancer Survivors Psychosocial support targeting FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is highly indicated.

Quality of life in long-term childhood cancer survivors and the relation of late effects and subjective well-being

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Pemberger ◽  
Reinhold Jagsch ◽  
Eva Frey ◽  
Rosemarie Felder-Puig ◽  
Helmut Gadner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Subjective Well Being

Neurocognitive Outcomes in Childhood Cancer: Effects of Disease and Treatment on Brain Development and Learning

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Daniel Armstrong ◽  
Maria L. Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Cns Cancer ◽  
Receive Treatment

Childhood cancer is a rare disease, accounting for only 1% of all malignancies in humans of all ages. In 2007, approximately 10,400 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in children 14 years of age and younger (American Cancer Society 2007). Significant advances in diagnostic techniques and tailored treatments during the past three decades have increased the 5-year survival rate for all cancers to over 80% (Twombly 2007). For acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, the current survival rate is approaching 90% (Pui and Howard 2008). Better survival has led to increased awareness and focus on the consequences of cancer treatment, called late effects. The Children’s Oncology Group has developed and published guidelines for monitoring childhood cancer survivors for late effects in nearly every organ system (Landier et al. 2004), with a recent growing interest in those affecting cognitive, academic, social, and behavioral function (Nathan et al. 2007), which are the focus of this chapter. It was long assumed that a cancer diagnosis and the severe toxicity associated with treatment was such a traumatic event that significant adverse psychological consequences were inevitable. Recent, large reports from the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Study and reviews of smaller studies suggest that this is not the case for the majority of children and adolescents treated for and surviving cancer (Eiser, Hill, and Vance 2000; Zebrack et al. 2002; Zeltzer et al. 2009). With the exception of children who experience central nervous system (CNS) cancer or cancer treatment (Zebrack et al. 2004), most childhood cancer survivors are not significantly different from the general population on measures of depression (Phipps and Srivastava 1999), selfesteem (Noll et al. 1999), hopefulness (Ritchie 2001), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some children experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress during acute treatment, but these symptoms diminish over time (Phipps et al. 2006). For children with CNS cancer or who receive treatment that affects the CNS, the picture is somewhat different, with poorer emotional and social functioning, neurocognitive function, and overall health-related quality of life (HRQL) reported in this subpopulation (Calaminus et al. 2000; Vannatta et al. 2007).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document