Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation holds an annual Childhood Cancer Symposium in Philadelphia. It is designed to be an educational resource, providing families with the opportunity to learn about issues and topics of treatment and beyond, while meeting other families in a group setting. Registration is free and is open to all those touched by childhood cancer, including patients and their siblings.
Presentation by: Melissa Alderfer, PhD.
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Coping with Cancer
1. at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
Coping with Cancer:
A family journey
Melissa A. Alderfer, PhD
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia &
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
2. Overview
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Discuss a traumatic stress model that we
The Cancer Center
find helpful in understanding coping with
childhood cancer
Summarize what we know about the
psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on
families
Provide suggestions for maximizing
adjustment to cancer
3. Cancer
Traumatic
of Childhood
Stress Model
The Cancer Center
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
4. Traumatic Stress Model
Traumatic Stress Models have been discussed
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
dating back to the nineteenth century
The Cancer Center
- Railway Spine: nightmares, avoidance, chronic pain
- Hysteria: agitation, dissociation
- Soldier’s Heart: cardiovascular activation, fatigue
- Shell Shock: memory loss, emotional outbursts, numbing
Conceptualization of the phenomenon developed
through the years
In 1980, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was
defined by the American Psychiatric Association
5. Traumatic Stress Model
A “normal” reaction to catastrophic event
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
Traumatic event:
- involves actual or threatened death or serious injury or a
threat to the physical integrity of self or others
- produces intense fear, horror, or helplessness
Symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance,
and physiological arousal
“Diagnosis of a life threatening illness” and
“learning that one’s child has a life-threatening illness”
specifically listed as potentially traumatic events
6. Traumatic Stress
Re-experiencing of the event
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
- Recurrent, intrusive, distressing recollections
- Recurrent distressing dreams
- Acting or feeling as if the event is recurring
- Intense psychological distress at exposure to internal or
external cues that symbolize or resemble the event
- Physiological reactivity to such cues
7. Traumatic Stress
Avoidance and numbing
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
- Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, conversations
- Efforts to avoid activities, places or people
- Inability to recall an important aspect
- Diminished interest or participation in significant activities
- Feelings of detachment or estrangement
- Restricted range of affect
- Sense of foreshortened future
8. Traumatic Stress
Increased arousal
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hypervigilance
- Exaggerated startle response
To qualify for a diagnosis of PTSD
- 1 re-experiencing, 3 avoidance, 2 arousal symptoms
- Symptoms for at least 1 month
- Significant distress or impairment in functioning
9. Traumatic Stress Model
Continues to evolve, draw on coping literature
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
Trauma symptoms may be normative and adaptive
- distress communicates a need for support
- re-experiencing allows cognitive processing of the event
- avoidance may reduce distress and allow functioning
- arousal keeps you primed to recognize and deal with
additional traumatic events
10. Traumatic Stress Model
Premise: Traumatic events challenge the patterns
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
of thoughts and behaviors that allow people to
The Cancer Center
function on a daily basis
“Psychologically seismic events that can severely
shaken, threaten or reduce to rubble many of the
schematic structures that have guided understanding,
decision making, and meaning in the world”
Can lead to distress or provide the opportunity for
generative experiences, positive growth, enhanced
adjustment
11. Families
Impact of
Cancer on
Psychosocial
The Cancer Center
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
12. Patterns of Response
Different patterns of response are possible:
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
- Hardy (minimal, temporary distress)
- Chronically Distressed (consistent high levels of distress)
- Resilient (high levels of distress that improve)
- Delayed Distress (late increases in distress)
- Enhanced Functioning (better than baseline)
Most children with cancer are Hardy; some
evidence of Delayed Distress in young adult survivors
Most parents and siblings show Resilience
Growing evidence of Enhanced Functioning
13. Diagnosis
Range of expected strong emotions across
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
family members:
The Cancer Center
- Shock, disbelief, denial
- Confusion, frustration
- Anxiety, fear, helplessness
- Sadness, mourning, grief
- Guilt, anger
14. Diagnosis
Within 2 weeks of diagnosis, 85% of parents report
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
significant distress
The Cancer Center
Parents have more anxiety, poorer quality of life,
and more symptoms of depression
Within 1 month of diagnosis, 51% of moms, 40% of
dads qualify for a diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder
Within 1 month of diagnosis
- 75-83% of parents reported re-experiencing
- 70-83% reported avoidance
- 83% reported arousal
15. Diagnosis
The reactions of the child with cancer to diagnosis
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
vary depending upon his or her age
The Cancer Center
Some symptoms of anxiety, fear, and sadness are
common
May see some developmental regression
Overall, research does NOT indicate increased
rates of depression or traumatic stress symptoms in
patients shortly after diagnosis
16. Diagnosis
Siblings report loneliness, marginalization,
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
jealousy and worry
The Cancer Center
Within 1 month of diagnosis, 57% of siblings report
impaired emotional quality of life
Nearly 40% of siblings report significant difficulties
with memory concentration and learning within one
month after cancer diagnosis
Rates of traumatic stress symptoms have been
unexplored
17. Diagnosis
Marital distress is common: 40% of married
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
parents indicating problems
The Cancer Center
Parenting stress is typical: over-protection,
impatience, relaxed rules and inconsistency in
discipline is reported by 32% of fathers and 48% of
mothers
Families report pulling closer together: 60% of
families report increased cohesion
Benefit finding and traumatic growth have been
unexplored
18. Treatment
Two-thirds of parents report that dealing with
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
their own intense emotions and traumatization is
The Cancer Center
the greatest challenge
Feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and
lack of control are common
Anxiety and depression symptoms decrease
within the first three months after diagnosis, but
remain significantly elevated for parents
19. Treatment
At 6 months post-diagnosis, 40-50% of parents
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
continue to report increased distress
The Cancer Center
During the first few months of treatment about
44% of parents qualify for a diagnosis of PTSD
About one year after diagnosis, 68% of moms
and 57% of dads report moderate to severe PTS
By 24 months post-diagnosis most parents report
distress levels at normative levels; a small subgroup
remain distressed
20. Treatment
During treatment children with cancer continue
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
to show little or no evidence of emotional or
The Cancer Center
behavioral problems
Some reports suggest LOWER levels of
depression and anxiety than healthy children
Traumatic stress symptoms are present, but
mean levels are no different from healthy children
21. Treatment
Disruptions in family life take a toll on siblings;
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
absence of their brother or sister, separation from
The Cancer Center
parents and poor communication fuels confusion
and anxiety
Three-fold increase in behavior problems, two-
fold increase in emotional problems, decrements in
quality of life, declines in school performance for
siblings
Within 2 years of diagnosis, 25% qualify for a
diagnosis of PTSD, 60% in moderate to severe
range for PTS
Report positive aspects of the experience
22. Treatment
Significant marital distress continues to be
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
reported among 25 to 30% of parents throughout
The Cancer Center
the first year post-diagnosis
Inconsistent discipline continues as parents often
feel guilty about putting their child through treatment
Role overload is common as family members
must juggle their typical responsibilities with needs
of treatment
Parenting Stress increases once the child
reaches remission
23. Survivorship
Time of ambivalent feelings: relief and joy coupled
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
with fear and uncertainty
The Cancer Center
Depression and anxiety scores no longer elevated
for most, a subset of parents continue to have
distress
Traumatic Stress symptoms remain:
- Moms: 14 to 20% with current PTSD, 27 to 30% with
PTSD at some time since diagnosis of cancer; up to
44% in moderate to severe range
- Dads: 10% current PTSD, 12% PTSD since cancer; 33
to 35% in moderate to severe range
24. Survivorship
97% of moms, 87% of dads indicate at least one
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
symptom of re-experiencing
The Cancer Center
64% of moms, 44% of dads report at least 2
symptoms of physiological arousal
34% of moms, 16% of dads report at least 3
symptoms of avoidance
Parents also report positive outcomes of the
experience
- 86% of moms and 62% of dads indicate a positive
change in the way they think about their life
- 58% of moms and 48% of dads indicate a positive
change in how they treat others
25. Survivorship
Adolescent survivors report some traumatic
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
stress:
The Cancer Center
- 5% current PTSD; 8% PTSD since cancer diagnosis
- 12-18% moderate to severe traumatic stress
- 73% report re-experiencing; 41% report arousal; 16%
report avoidance
More positive view of life, good self-esteem,
broader perspective
Enhanced maturity, greater compassion and
empathy, new values and priorities, new strengths
53% indicate a positive change in how they think
about life; 42% indicate a positive change in their
plans for the future
26. Survivorship
Young adult survivors of childhood cancer do not
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
show elevated rates of anxiety or depression
The Cancer Center
Report more traumatic stress than adolescent
survivors or controls:
- 18-22% current PTSD; 21% PTSD since cancer
- 80% report re-experiencing; 42% report arousal;
44% report avoidance
27. Survivorship
Family patterns forged during treatment may
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
continue and marginalize siblings
The Cancer Center
Among siblings of survivors, about 32% report
moderate to severe PTS
Siblings report many positive outcomes:
- enhanced maturity, responsibility, independence and
personal growth
- more empathy, thoughtfulness, compassion
28. Summary
Distress is greatest at diagnosis and improves
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
over time reaching near normal levels by 2 years
The Cancer Center
post-diagnosis
Parents report the most distress within the
family, followed by siblings
The child with cancer seems to function quite
well throughout the cancer experience
Evidence of symptoms of traumatic stress and
traumatic growth across family members
29. your
Cope
Family
Helping
The Cancer Center
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
30. Be patient…
with yourself, your family, and treatment. It takes time:
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
to learn about cancer, treatment and the medical system
The Cancer Center
to adjust emotionally
to understand the reactions of family members
to find the best way for your family to
work together and support each other
to accept the uncertainty
With time it gets better
31. Help your children…
understand what is happening. Talk to them;
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
be age-appropriate (young children don’t need detail; explain
The Cancer Center
physical changes, treatment course, changes in routine)
be reassuring and supportive (this is not punishment; it is not
contagious; they will not be abandoned; their needs will be met)
be sensitive to their preferences and style (not your own)
be honest (help them prepare; build trust)
be open to their questions (you don’t
have to have all the answers)
Talk with your children
32. Share your feelings…
with family and friends. It is important:
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
to recognize how your thoughts and feelings impact your
behavior with others
to talk about how you feel
to share your feelings with and encourage children to
express their feelings
to understand positive emotions are OK
to accept the feelings of others
Emotional connections help
33. Rely on others…
to help you and your family. Ask or allow
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
the medical team to help educate and prepare you and your
children for what is to come
extended family to help maintain your home, spend time with
healthy siblings, become involved in medical care
friends, neighbors, community members
to provide support to your family
the school to help your children
Don’t try to go it alone
34. Establish routines…
and maintain rules. Consistency helps:
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
offset the unpredictability of cancer
allow children to feel more safe and secure
ward off behavioral problems in the future
give everyone something to expect
Create your “new normal”
35. Take care…
of yourself. To be at your best:
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
take time for yourself
do enjoyable things with family and friends
maintain your own physical health
accept what you can’t control; focus on what you can
look for realistically positive aspects of
your experience
don’t pressure yourself to do too much
Replenish yourself
36. Ask for help…
from a psychosocial provider when:
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Cancer Center
emotional reactions are interfering with cancer treatment or
appropriate follow-up care
someone has problems with day to day functioning that aren’t
improving with time
differences in coping style are causing
relationship problems
you have concerns and need advice
Get help when needed
37. Conclusions
Childhood cancer is a
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
stressful, potentially traumatic
The Cancer Center
event
Research documents high
levels of distress for families
that improve with time
A Traumatic Stress Model
seems to capture the nature of
cancer-related distress
- explains symptoms of distress
- explains possibility of growth
38. Conclusions
at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
To maximize adjustment:
The Cancer Center
- be patient, it takes time
- talk with your children
- share your feelings
- rely on others
- create your “new normal”
- take care of yourself
- ask for help when you need it