Parents' recall on the diagnosis of cancer in their child

Abstract

Abstract Mothers ( n = 28) and fathers ( n = 23) of 30 children with cancer were interviewed separately about their recall of the period immediately before the diagnosis, and their experiences during the diagnostic interview. Information about how the children were told, and by whom, was also elicited. Parents reported considerable delay between the time when they first sought professional advice about their child and the diagnosis being confirmed (mean = 17 weeks). The longer it took for parents to achieve a diagnosis, the more they subsequently blamed the general practitioner ( p < 0.05). All children over 8 years of age were informed about treatment, usually by the consultant. On diagnosis, all parents recalled that information was given about cancer and proposed treatment. Fewer recalled that any information was given about side‐effects, complications or the cause. Implications for when these issues should be considered are discussed. Many parents felt unable to ask questions even when given the opportunity. The data point to the need to improve communications between families, specialist hospitals and local services.