Implications of childhood cancer survivors in the classroom and the school

Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this paper are to: briefly review the long‐term or late effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment on children and youth; examine the implications of these effects on the educational needs of the child or youth; explore the implications of childhood cancer survivorship on the school, particularly for female students. Over the last 25 years, treatments for childhood cancers have increased survival rates by 45 per cent, to nearly 77 per cent. It is estimated that one in 900 people aged 15‐44 years in the USA is a childhood cancer survivor; 80 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer in 1990 will survive into adulthood.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review of studies relevant to female childhood cancer survivorship and education over the past ten years was conducted, having been collected through searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PSYCINFO, and EMBASE.

Findings

Long‐term and late effects of cancer have been observed in neurocognition, cardiopulmonary symptoms, second cancers, reproductive organs, and hearing loss. Other health effects, such as impaired growth, osteopenia, hepatitis C infection, oral and dental malformations, and behavioral risk factors such as fatigue, obesity, and smoking have also been reported among childhood cancer survivors. These longer‐term treatment sequelae, particularly on neurological systems, have implications for changed student educational needs, including the provision of specialized instruction, classroom adaptations, as well as ancillary health services.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the ecologic model, a research agenda is proposed for better integrating the increasing numbers of childhood cancer survivors into the educational environment.

Practical implications

Practical interventions for survivors who are experiencing difficulties in school are listed.

Originality/value

To the best of one's knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on the implications of childhood cancer survivors in schools.

Citation

Sheinfeld Gorin, S. and McAuliffe, P. (2009), "Implications of childhood cancer survivors in the classroom and the school", Health Education, Vol. 109 No. 1, pp. 25-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280910923363