Overall Function in Rural Childhood Cancer Survivors

Abstract

This study compared the functioning of 20 rural cancer survivors, aged 6 to 16 years, with that of 40 age- and gender-matched school peers. Social competence and emotional health were evaluated, along with academic performance and physical limitations. Eight measures were used: the teacher and parent Child Behavior Check Lists, the Health Resources Inventory, the Vineland Revised Scale of Social Maturity, the Piers-Harris Child's Self-Concept Scale, the Parcel and Meyers' Health Locus of Control, the Moos' Family Environment Scale, and the Functional Status II(r). Cancer survivors and controls had similar attitudes about self-esteem, family conflicts, physical functioning, social skills, independence, and sense of control over health. Both parents and teachers noted poorer social competence among the cancer survivors than among controls, but parents of survivors reported more behavior problems, whereas teachers stressed poorer school performance. Routine screening for emotional health, social competence, and academic performance should be part of the follow-up care of pediatric cancer survivors.