Psychosocial care in the ‘later’ phase

Parents of children who have been cured of cancer may continue to experience anxiety, uncertainty, and stress, especially fear of a relapse. They also need to learn how to cope with the possible late effects of the treatment their child has undergone. Five years after treatment, some parents report that they still have elevated stress levels, and many report symptoms of PTSD. It is important for health care professionals to remain alert to signs of post-traumatic stress and to support parents appropriately.

Parents may also experience parenting difficulties because children sometimes develop behaviors during treatment that are difficult to change later. Re-establishing boundaries and expectations can be challenging, especially when it is not always clear what is a consequence of the illness and what can be considered ‘normal’ child behavior.

In addition, parents may find it difficult to let go of their child after everything they have been through, while this is important for the child’s social and emotional development. Many parents struggle to find the right balance between providing care and encouraging their child’s autonomy. Discussing and normalizing these challenges can help parents during this transition period.

More information

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