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Family reflections: psychosocial care in childhood cancer survivorship from a long-term survivor and parent

Pediatric Research volume 98, pages 338–340 (2025)Cite this article

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Vicky: “When I was treated at a major hospital in London, U.K. beginning in 1995, the sole focus was pretty much on survival of the patient, understandable when the prognosis for childhood leukemia was only around 75% survival, compared to 90% now. There was certainly awareness of long-term toxicities and the beginnings of treatment stratification and replacement to minimize these effects as evidenced by the clinical trial I was on, but “what happens afterwards” was still only a minor aspect of treatment. Targeted psychosocial support for families and siblings was all but absent, even at major centers.”

As every cancer survivor and caregiver knows, the end of treatment does not mark the end of the need for support from the care team. We believe that it would benefit every individual affected by cancer if some, or all treatment providers communicated an awareness that survivorship is a continuation of the cancer journey, one that presents unique psychological, emotional, and social difficulties. Caregivers and patients alike may feel exhausted and uncertain about the immediate and long-term future, yet sense the societal pressure to be relieved and “move on.” This can be an internal barrier to seeking help with the many challenges of survivorship.

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  1. Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Victoria J. Forster

  2. Toronto, ON, Canada

    Megan Easton

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  1. Victoria J. Forster
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  2. Megan Easton
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Correspondence to Victoria J. Forster.

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Forster, V.J., Easton, M. Family reflections: psychosocial care in childhood cancer survivorship from a long-term survivor and parent. Pediatr Res 98, 338–340 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04002-3

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