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Cited by 43Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifeFamily Support in IllnessCancer survivorship and care

Problems, Stressors and Needs of Children and Adolescents with Cancer

Open access
Lewandowska, Anna, Zych, Barbara, Papp, Katalin, Zrubcová, Dana, Kadučáková, Helena, Šupínová, Mária, Apay, Serap Ejder, Nagórska, Małgorzata·2021·Children
DOI 10.3390/children8121173PMC PMC8700549
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cancer diseases in children and adolescents are considered to be one of the most serious health problems in the world. It is estimated that about 151,435 cases are diagnosed in children annually. Children with cancer experience many comorbid symptoms related to diagnosis and treatment that can profoundly affect their lives. They experience physical and emotional suffering, which affects their well-being and physical fitness, influencing the prognosis and deteriorating their physical, mental and social functioning. Given the limited data, an attempt was made to assess the problems of the biopsychosocial sphere of need and stressors among children and adolescents treated for cancer. Accurate symptom assessment is essential to ensure high-quality care and effective treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The qualitative study was conducted in pediatric oncology of hospitals in Poland. Children diagnosed with cancer were invited to participate in the study to assess their problems, stressors and needs. RESULTS: The study included 520 people, where female sex constituted 48% and male 52%. The mean age of the children is 13.2 SD = 2.5. Negative experiences related to the disease are experienced by 82% of children. Among the surveyed children, the most experienced were anxiety (61%). The conducted research shows that as many as 69% of all respondents experienced states that indicate severe depression. The most common somatic problems reported by children were pain (58%). The most dominant areas of life that had a negative impact was body image (85%). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents diagnosed with neoplastic disease experience many problems and stressors in every sphere of life, which undoubtedly affects a high level of unmet needs. The main category of needs concerning the challenges faced by children with cancer was psychological and care problems. In the youth group, the needs were mainly related to education and social support.

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  • Prolonged absence and limited communication may undermine sense of belonging.

    “whereas prolonged absence and limited communication may undermine sense of belonging [20, 29, 30, 31, 32].”

    From Sense of School Belonging and School Reintegration for Students Hospitalized With Chronic or Complex Medical Diseases: Insights From a Grounded Theory Study (2026) · cites this paper as [31]

    The Results (sections 4.2 and 4.3; page unavailable) report infrequent peer contact, communication problems associated with isolation, and isolation as a factor negatively affecting well-being. The Discussion also describes adverse effects of time away from school. The paper does not specifically assess sense of belonging or establish that prolonged absence and limited communication undermine it. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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Authors
Lewandowska, A., Zych, B., Papp, K., Zrubcová, D., Kadučáková, H., Šupínová, M., Apay, S. E., & Nagórska, M.
Affiliations
  • State University of Applied Sciences in Jaroslaw (PL)
  • University of Rzeszów (PL)
  • University of Debrecen (HU)
  • Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (SK)
  • Catholic University in Ruzomberok (SK)
  • Atatürk University (TR)
Corresponding author
Lewandowska, Anna
ORCID
Venue
Children
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-12-10
Volume
8
Issue
12
Pages
1173
ISSN
2227-9067 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/children8121173
PMC
PMC8700549
OpenAlex
W4200237762
Cited by
43
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4
FWCI
4.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Children (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
childhood cancer, adolescent cancer, psychosocial stressors, unmet needs, anxiety, depression, pain, body image, biopsychosocial functioning, social support, psychological needs, somatic symptoms

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