Coping and Overcoming: Childhood Cancer and Its Survivors

By Meredith Alexander

WINTER 2001 - For children with cancer and their families, specialized patient care is critical as they cope with painful therapies, frequent hospitalizations, and -- in many cases -- the long-term effects of treatment. Doctors, nurses, social services, and other staff all work together to help support patients and families as they face a wide range of physical and emotional issues raised by cancer.

Kristy Dawson is a child life specialist who works with pediatric oncology patients. Using medical play dolls, Dawson introduces children to blooddraws, lumbar punctures, and other intimidating medical procedures. Dawson and her colleagues also help children through behavioral adaptations, such as therapeutic breathing methods. "Being able to control their breathing gives kids some sense of confidence through a procedure they can't control," explains Dawson.

Once the treatments are complete, follow-up care is crucial. Patients whose cancers have been in remission for five or more years visit a clinic for long-term survivors of childhood cancer, headed by Dr. Neyssa Marina and nurse practitioner Christina Baggott, where they are monitored for after-effects of intensive cancer treatments.

"Treatments save lives, but also create complications for survivors," says Marina. "We do a lot of education so they know what they might have to worry about."

Possible side effects of chemotherapy and radiation include heart failure, stunted growth, sterility, and organ damage. Cancer specialists also must watch for learning disabilities caused by radiation to the brain and exacerbated by missed school; hepatitis C, for which blood transfusions were not screened prior to 1992; and recurrences of cancer.

Some cancer survivors suffer from psychological harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Clinic staff work with social workers and psychiatrists to help patients and families through these issues as well.

One thing is certain: As medical care for pediatric cancer improves, a growing population of childhood cancer survivors will have more to be thankful for -- and more to be concerned about as years pass. For these children, comprehensive clinical care like Packard's will only become more vital.