Comprehensive Cancer Care For Children And Their Families

Childhood cancer is an area of oncology that has seen both remarkable progress as well as substantial continuing challenges. While survival rates for some pediatric cancers present a story of success, for many types of pediatric cancers, little progress has been made. Many cancer treatments are known to cause not only significant acute side effects, but also lead to numerous long-term health risks and reduced quality of life. Even in cases where the cancer is considered curable, the consequences of treatment present substantial long-term health and psychosocial concerns for children, their families, their communities, and our health system. To examine specific opportunities and suggestions for driving optimal care delivery supporting survival with high quality of life, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the Institute of Medicine and the American Cancer Society co-hosted a workshop which convened experts and members of the public on March 9 and 10, 2015. At this workshop, clinicians and researchers in pediatric oncology, palliative, and psychosocial care, along with representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute, Children's Oncology Group, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocacy organizations, discussed and developed a menu of options for action to improve research, quality of care, and outcomes for pediatric cancer patients and their families. In addition, parents of children with cancer and pediatric cancer survivors shared their experiences with care and provided poignant personal perspectives on specific quality of life concerns and support needs for children and families across the life spectrum. This report summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

Explores various treatment options available to cancer patients, including Chinese medicine, toxins, and recent experimental therapies, and explains the important role diet and emotional health play in getting well.

Children can and do survive cancer; the last decade has seen many major advancements in treatment. Written honestly, yet in a reassuring tone, by a reference librarian whose child has survived cancer, Children with Cancer draws together a wealth of up-to-date information essential for anyone who wishes to help a child or family through this ordeal--including relatives, friends, teachers, and clergymen, as well as doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. The information ranges from sophisticated, hard-to-find medical facts to practical tips on how to handle side effects, and much more. Describing in detail the whole range of childhood cancers, Bracken explores how they affect the child, the treatments available, how to cope with the changes this diagnosis will bring to the entire family, and where to go for both medical and emotional help. It also includes an appendix of common medical tests, a glossary of terms, and comprehensive lists of organizations, clinics, and cancer centers, complete with names and addresses. Reviews of the previous edition: "A remarkable job....The technical information is clearly stated, up to date and accurate.....But most of all, this is a human book."--Los Angeles Times "Comprehensive, well written, accurate, and compassionate.... Bracken's book can serve as a primary reference for parents and can be used as well by health care professionals and teachers." --Science Books and Films

Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients. Psychological and social problems created or exacerbated by cancer-including depression and other emotional problems; lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness; lack of transportation or other resources; and disruptions in work, school, and family life-cause additional suffering, weaken adherence to prescribed treatments, and threaten patients' return to health. Today, it is not possible to deliver high-quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients' psychosocial health needs. All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient recommends actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers, health planners, researchers and research sponsors, and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.

Only more recently has it been realized that the intense effort to care for and cure a child with cancer does not end with survival. Continued surveillance and a variety of interventions may, in many cases, be needed to identify and care for consequences of treatment that can appear early or only after several decades and impair survivors' health and quality of life. The more than two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors who experience late effects-that is, complications, disabilities, or adverse outcomes-as a result of their disease, its treatment, or both, are the focus of this report which outlines a comprehensive policy agenda that links improved health care delivery and follow-up, investments in education and training for health care providers, and expanded research to improve the long-term outlook for this growing population now exceeding 270,000 Americans.

If your child has cancer – this comprehensive guide can help you learn how childhood cancers are diagnosed and treated, as well as how to manage common health problems during treatment. It shares coping and support strategies for every member of your family. Developed by a multidisciplinary a team of experts from across the National Cancer Institute, and parents who have a child with cancer, this guide was designed as a companion for every family that has a child with cancer. Medical information is explained so it’s easy to understand: • Types of cancer in children • Medical tests and procedures • Treatments, including access to the latest clinical trials • Health issues such as nutrition, infection, and pain • Integrative medicine approaches • Advanced cancer-related issues • Survivorship Practical information is shared to help parents: • Find a doctor and hospital for your child • Talk with your child about cancer • Cope and find support for you and your family • Stay organized and track key information Designed to be used as a tool in consultation with your child’s health care team – each chapter of this guide includes quotes from parents, questions to ask your child’s health care team, and related resources. This guide was a National Health Information Award winner. It received “gold” – an honor given to the nation’s best consumer health programs and materials, by the Health Information Resource Center. Related products: Caring for the Caregiver: Support for Cancer Caregivers – ePub format only – ISBN: 9780160947520 Coping with Advanced Cancer: Support for People with Cancer -- ePub format only ISBN: 9780160947544 Eating Hints: Before, during and after Cancer Treatment -- ePub format only --ISBN: 9780160947551 Life After Cancer Treatment: Facing Forward -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947568 Pain Control: Support for People with Cancer -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947575 Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People with Cancer --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947582 Surgery Choice for Women with DCIS and Breast Cancer -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947599 Taking Part in Cancer Research Studies --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947605 Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947612 Understanding Cervical Changes: A Health Guide for Women -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947629 When Cancer Returns: Support for People with Cancer -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947636 When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer: Support for Caregivers --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947643 When Someone You Love Has Completed Cancer Treatment: Facing Forward --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947650 When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for Cancer: Support for Caregivers --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947667 When Your Brother or Sister Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens --ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947674 When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens -- ePub format only -- ISBN: 9780160947681

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.

The past decade has brought extraordinary gains in the outlook for children stricken with cancer. Though cancer remains a leading cause of death for children and young adults, more victims of child hood cancer today will survive than will die. The therapeutic advances and the optimism they instill have prompted researchers and clinicians to analyze the impact of cancer upon young patients and their famil,ies and to devise more effective intervention strategies. Hope and survival, juxtaposed with the continuing high mortality associated with certain forms of the illness, add new challenges to management of the psychosocial aspects of cancer. To respond to these challenges we need research as rigorous as that which continues to make inroads in treating the physical illness. This specific concern for the needs of children suffering from cancer and their families has paralleled an increasing sensitivity on the part of the medical community and the public at large to the limitations of specialized, high technology health care practices.

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.

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.