Quality of care and relationships as reported by children with cancer and their parents

Cancer is a disease of aging; its occurrence in childhood is rare with a lifetime incidence of less than 0.5% (1). Despite this rarity, cancer remains the second most common cause of death after accidents and assault, and the leading cause of disease-related death in children (2). Cancer and its treatment cause considerable symptom burden on the patient, ranging from physical symptoms to psychological, social, and spiritual concerns (3). These concerns may increase the patient’s symptom burden, significantly impair quality of life, and limit possible curative treatments (3). Not only does cancer affect the patient, but also the whole family of the patient’s. Having a child diagnosed with a progressive life-threatening illness such as cancer has an emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual impact on the whole family. Parents develop emotional distress and depression, become physically exhausted, and suffer financial hardships due to treatment-related expenses and loss of income from repetitive work disruptions (4)