1. Mothers' explanations of communicating past health and future risks to survivors of childhood cancer.
- Author
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Clarke SA, Sheppard L, and Eiser C
- Subjects
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Blindness psychology, Child, Cooperative Behavior, Eye, Artificial psychology, Female, Genetic Counseling, Genetic Predisposition to Disease genetics, Genetic Predisposition to Disease psychology, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Mother-Child Relations, Patient Care Team, Retinal Neoplasms genetics, Retinoblastoma genetics, Communication, Mothers psychology, Retinal Neoplasms psychology, Retinoblastoma psychology, Sick Role, Survivors psychology
- Abstract
Mothers of survivors of Retinoblastoma (Rb) experience unique challenges communicating with their child about the condition. Children are mostly diagnosed within their first year but the consequences continue into young adult life. Here 39 mothers of Rb survivors (23 males, mean age = 10.26 years) were interviewed about their experiences. Mothers were asked about communication with their children about Rb, and future health risks. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Mothers reported that they had informed children about past diagnosis and treatment but had spoken less about genetic risk or risk of secondary cancer. The child's age and information-seeking behaviour were associated with mothers' disclosure, along with mothers' perceptions that information would facilitate child coping. Findings suggest that mothers may need more guidance during follow-up care in communicating about the disease and its consequences for future health. Medical staff should also take extra care to ensure that mothers are aware of genetic counselling services and how to access them before the child is discharged from specialist care.
- Published
- 2008
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