文摘
Background With today’s high survival rates for childhood cancer, the physical and psychosocial effects on quality of life are becoming a new focus for clinical research, which takes into account both disease-related and age-related variables. This paper evaluates the long term psycho-social effects of childhood cancer survivors. Patients and Methods Fifty-eight adolescents and children approaching adolescence being monitored by the Pediatric Oncology and Hematology unit of the Rabat Children’s Hospital and having been cured of childhood cancer were enrolled in the study and asked to answer a questionnaire.We focused particularly on the experience of receiving the diagnosis, hospitalisation and treatment and the consequences on their social, psychological and somatic behaviour. Results Although 60% of the patients stated that they rarely think about their disease, 14% thought about it every day. Traumatic evidence was detectable in most of them. Physical pain was the most reported stress, mainly during hospitalisation (73%), alongside psychological suffering (51%). Afterwards, the mostly frequently reported stress was physical pain related to treatments and procedures. Concerning schooling, 65% were behind with their studies and 17% had abandoned their education. As for their current lives, 93% of the participants reported a “normal- pleasant life although most of them preferred not to talk about the disease. On the other hand, reactions to hair loss varied according to sex; 75% of the girls reported feelings of depression and shame and 25% of acceptance, whereas 50% of the boys expressed acceptance and 43% depression. As for what had affected them most, the majority mentioned giving up school and/or being separated from their families. Conclusion Most of these patients said they felt they were the same as anyone else and had plans for their lives, but they had nevertheless experienced both physical and psychological suffering. This study emphasizes the need for long-term continuous information and developing hospital-based education. It also stresses the importance of addressing the issue of managing psychological and physical pain after the initial hospitalisation period. Special attention should be given to financial issues in developing countries.