For all of those interested in pediatrics, oncology, and psychiatry, we must also consider the impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis on a child and their family, and how such a life-changing and life-threatening medical condition affects the mental health of the child and their loved ones.
The article, "Childhood Cancer and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" by Anne Speckhard, is a great brief resource that discusses the risk factors for the development of #PTSD amongst these young patients diagnosed with cancer. In addition, it describes how PTSD manifests in children of different developmental stages, as well as the emotional and mental toll a cancer diagnosis can take on parents and siblings too.
"For parent and child, a cancer diagnosis is a mental shock. And the physical shocks that follow that diagnosis- invasive treatments, surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy are also difficult to bear, also potentially traumatising.
"Cancer is a life threatening disease. And the threat to life- including the treatments to save life-can be traumatising to those who witness their child or sibling going through cancer treatment. Death of course makes it even harder. Treatment is also potentially traumatising to the child with cancer, potentially leaving psychic scars lasting well after a hopeful recovery."