Tough Journey For Families Of Children With Lymphoma

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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A CQUniversity study has shown that families of children suffering from lymphoma face unique challenges that potentially make it more difficult to cope with the treatment experience than most.

According to the International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) Senior Research Fellow Dr Pam McGrath, up until now there has been a shortage of information about the unique psycho-social experiences of these patients and their families.

IPP-SHR researchers extended a 5-year research study that has been exploring the treatment experiences of families coping with children with leukaemia to also include families with children diagnosed with lymphoma.

"This research found that lymphoma families perceived that treatment experiences as far more arduous than that of other childhood haematological groups, such as Acute Lymphatic Leukaemia (ALL)," Dr McGrath explained.

"Children diagnosed with ALL endure several years of treatment whilst the treatment protocol for the lymphoma population in comparatively short, lasting about 6 to 9 months. Due to the short treatment length, families are exposed to an intense treatment experience which rarely offers the opportunity for some respite from the difficult journey.

"The stress of treatment is further exacerbated when families have been relocated from rural areas to the metropolitan treatment centre. There is simply no time to return home to reconnect with family and to relax in the comfort and privacy of their own home."

The study also showed that the rarity of this disease caused parents to feel isolated from other families of children with cancer and were not provided with information and support services specific to their needs.

"In this largely unexplored area of paediatric oncology … these findings underscore the need for diagnostic specific support services for patients and their families," Dr McGrath said.

IPP-SHR is a collaborative initiative jointly funded by CQUniversity Australia and the National Health & Medical Research Council. It aims to document and examine the human experience of serious illness and 'make a difference' to those at the coalface of healthcare.

- Psycho-Social update Volume 3 Issue 2

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- Link to Project Page

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