Every year on February 15, International Childhood Cancer The day is observed to raise awareness about child cancer and express support for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors, and their families. While there is a growing awareness of cancer in children, its effect on their mental health remains a cause for great concern.
According to Dr Gauri Kapoor, Medical Director of the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Research Institute and Center (RGCIRC), Nitibagh and Director of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at RGCIRC Rohini, “Childhood cancer is curable. However, the treatment is quite intensive. For a few months, the child needs to go to the hospital frequently, and many times, they also require admission, chemotherapy treatments and injections. So a child’s life is turned upside down during treatment.”
“Besides, he/she can’t understand what’s going on. It is difficult to explain because many times the children are so young that we cannot make them adequately understand the scientific basis of what we are doing. So it’s a very stressful time,” said Dr. Kapoor, highlighting the mental health impact of Cancer In the kids
He added, “At the same time, there is a fear of cancer in the country, which makes their relatives and relatives very anxious. Their lives also become difficult, emotionally, physically, and socially. So, a child not only experiences physical problems, but also sees everyone around him stressed. Therefore, it is important to understand that a child will have emotional and psychological problems during treatment.”
Ways to take care of children’s mental health
We try to anticipate and address this problem to minimize its impact on them, highlighted the pediatric oncologist.
* We do our best to have a good relationship with the child. We try to explain in simple words what we are going to do and what it means.
*We try to make the treatment as painless as possible for the child.
*We try to keep the environment and environment friendly to children, such as having games and activities.
*We have a pediatric counselor to advise kids and parents since the child has to be seen in his relationship with the family.
What can parents do?
According to Dr. Kapoor, parents should remain calm and maintain a stress-free environment for their children. He suggested the following tips for parents.
*It is crucial to reduce stress and anxiety in parents. They need to accept that they also need psychological help.
*If the parents are relaxed, the child will be too.
*Parents should treat the child in a normal way and not give extra privileges and freedoms.
*In consultation with your cancer specialist, you may continue with some homeschooling work.
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