Living With Childhood Cancer


Book Description

Like a natural disaster, the diagnosis that your child has cancer can leave you and your family feeling helpless. How do you explain the disease to the child and to his or her siblings? How can you communicate your child's needs to the hospital staff? What are the best ways to reduce the physical side effects and the emotional distress of treatment?How will you, your child or teenager, and the rest of your family cope with cancer, and what can you do to help? When and where do you find good psychological help for your child or your family? How do you manage financial and school issues? How can you foster your child's development and self-esteem? More than 12,000 American children will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and roughly 75% will survive. In addition to excellent medical care, their survival depends on a strong support network, which may include parents, siblings, extended family members, friends and neighbors, classmates and teachers. In this down-to-earth guidebook, the authors draw on their own family's experience with cancer as well as their professional expertise and stories from others to help families address the psychological impact of cancer. The result is a book filled with sound emotional guidance, useful information, and practical advice for families coping with cancer.




Childhood Cancer


Book Description

'This vital resource provides an up-to-date and informative account of childhood cancer. The purpose of this book is to provide a source of information and guidance for children with cancer and for their families. It is intended to help them understand their new experiences and so reduce the fear that accompanies uncertainty. The material is meant to complement and not substitute the essential continuing dialogue between families and members of the health care team.




Cancer in Our Family


Book Description

Explains to parents how to talk to children to help them cope when their mother or father is diagnosed with cancer, in a book that also has an illustrated activities section.




Childhood Cancer Survivors


Book Description

More than 325,000 children, teens, and adults in the United States are survivors of childhood cancer. The surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplants used to cure children can affect growing bodies and developing minds. If survivors know of these potential problems, they can take steps to identify, cope with, or treat them early if they do develop. The third edition of Childhood Cancer Survivors charts the territory for survivors by providing state-of-the-art information about: " Medical late effects from treatment " Emotional aspects of surviving cancer " Schedules for follow-up care " Challenges in the heath-care system " Lifestyle choices to maximize health " Discrimination in employment or insurance Woven throughout the text are stories from more than 100 survivors and parents. Authors Keene, Hobbie, and Ruccione are experts in the field of childhood cancer. Keene is the mother of a survivor of childhood leukemia and the author of several books including Childhood Leukemia, Childhood Cancer, Educating the Child with Cancer, and Chemo, Craziness & Comfort. Hobbie is Associate Director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Ruccione is Co-Director of the HOPE (Hematology-Oncology Psychosocial and Education) Program in the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.




Comprehensive Handbook of Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease


Book Description

Over recent decades, tremendous advances in the prevention, medical treatment, and quality of life issues in children and adolescents surviving cancer have spawned a host of research on pediatric psychosocial oncology. This important volume fulfills the clear need for an up-to-date, comprehensive handbook for practitioners that delineates the most recent research in the field--the first of its kind in over a decade. Over 60 renowned authors have been assembled to provide a thorough presentation of the state-of-the art research and literature, with topics including:-Neuropsychological effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy-Bone marrow transplantation-Important issues about quality of life during and following treatment-Collaborative research among child-focused psychologists-Standards of psychological care for children and adolescents-Stress and coping in the pediatric cancer experience-The role of family and peer relationshipsThe Comprehensive Handbook of Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease represents both multidisciplinary and international efforts, an alliance between physicians and parents, and a combination of research and service. With a wealth of information of great interest to patients and their families, this volume will also be a welcome resource to the psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, oncologists, nurses, and social workers who confront these issues as they help children and their families through the treatment, recovery, and grieving processes.




Childhood Cancer and Functional Impacts Across the Care Continuum


Book Description

Since the late 1960s, the survival rate in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer has steadily improved, with a corresponding decline in the cancer-specific death rate. Although the improvements in survival are encouraging, they have come at the cost of acute, chronic, and late adverse effects precipitated by the toxicities associated with the individual or combined use of different types of treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy). In some cases, the impairments resulting from cancer and its treatment are severe enough to qualify a child for U.S. Social Security Administration disability benefits. At the request of Social Security Administration, Childhood Cancer and Functional Impacts Across the Care Continuum provides current information and findings and conclusions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of selected childhood cancers, including different types of malignant solid tumors, and the effect of those cancers on childrenâ (TM)s health and functional capacity, including the relative levels of functional limitation typically associated with the cancers and their treatment. This report also provides a summary of selected treatments currently being studied in clinical trials and identifies any limitations on the availability of these treatments, such as whether treatments are available only in certain geographic areas.




Childhood Leukemia


Book Description

Approximately 4,500 children and teens are diagnosed with leukemia in the United States and Canada each year. The illness and its treatment can have a devastating effect on family, friends, classmates, and the larger community. This newly updated edition of Childhood Leukemia contains the information and support parents need during this difficult time, including:•New treatments such as immunotherapy, tailoring drugs dosages to children's genetic profiles, and ways to deal with side effects.•Advice on how to cope with procedures, hospitalization, school, family, and financial issues.•Tips for forming a partnership with the medical team.•Poignant and practical stories from family members.•Updated resources for medical information, emotional support, and financial assistance.Parents who read this book will find understandable medical information and emotional support.




Pediatric Cancer Genetics


Book Description

Get a quick, expert overview of the many key facets of pediatric cancer genetics with this concise, practical resource by Dr. Nathaniel H. Robin and Meagan Farmer, MS, CGC, MBA. Ideal for pediatric oncologists and all providers who care for children, this easy-to-read reference addresses the remarkable potential of genetic testing as well as the complexities of choosing the correct test, understanding the results, and counseling the family. - Features a wealth of information on pediatric cancer genetics, including the epidemiology and biology of cancer and the genetic evaluation process and role of genetic counsellors - Highlights examples of syndromes that present in childhood and increase susceptibility to cancer - Discusses the genetic evaluation process in context of the multidisciplinary care of children with cancer - Considers the ethical and legal issues of genetic testing in children and provides illustrative case examples - Consolidates today's available information and guidance in this timely area into one convenient resource - Features a wealth of information on pediatric cancer genetics, including the epidemiology and biology of cancer and the genetic evaluation process and role of genetic counselors. - Highlights examples of syndromes that present in childhood and increase susceptibility to cancer. - Discusses the genetic evaluation process in context of the multidisciplinary care of children with cancer. - Considers the ethical and legal issues of genetic testing in children and provides illustrative case examples. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance in this timely area into one convenient resource.




Childhood Cancer


Book Description

This second edition of the most complete parent guide available features detailed and precise medical information about solid tumor childhood cancers, including neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, liver tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, and bone sarcomas. In addition, it offers day-to-day practical advice on how to cope with procedures, hospitalization, family and friends, school, financial issues, and communication. Woven among the medical details and the practical advice are the voices of parents and children who have lived with cancer and its treatments. As many parents know, advice from "veteran" parents can be a lifeline. Obtaining a basic understanding of topics such as medical terminology, how drugs work, common side effects of chemotherapy, and how to work more effectively with medical personnel improves the quality of life for the whole family. Having parents describe their own emotional ups and downs, how they coped, and how they molded their family life around hospitalizations can be a tremendous comfort. Just knowing that there are other kids on chemotherapy who refuse to eat anything but tacos or who have frequent rages can make one feel less alone. Parents who read this book will find understandable medical infomation, obtain advice that eases their daily life, and feel empowered to be strong advocates for their child. It also contains a personal treatment summary and long-term follow-up guide for your child to keep as a permanent record.