Returning to Primary School After Treatment for Cancer

Abstract

Questionnaires were sent to the teachers of 14 children returning to school after treatment for childhood cancer and their 11 siblings. Forty-four control children from the same classes were also selected. Behavioral rating scores (Deasy-Spinetta) showed no differences between cases and siblings or control children in terms of learning disabilities, socialization, and emotional behavior. Teachers reported few problems on the case children's return to school, although many had been anticipated. Most children adapted well, and there were no major changes in behavior or performance. Siblings, too, coped well with the experience. The Royal Victoria Infirmary at Newcastle, where the children were treated, has two community liaison nurses and three social workers. The value of the support that they provide to both families and schools is clearly reflected in the ease with which children reintegrate into their school environment after what can be, for some, a prolonged absence.

School behaviour and health status after central nervous system tumours in childhood

“…The finding of normal school behaviour is in agreement with the assessment of Gregory et al (1994) of 14 children returning to primary school after treatment for non-central nervous system malignancies and the series of Mulhern et al (1994) of 11 brain stem glioma survivors with adequate behavioural adjustment 1.5-5.6 years after diagnosis. In contrast, Slavc et al (1994) studied 67 children with CNS tumours, of whom 25% of the survivors had behavioural and adjustment problems and 25% attended special educational courses.…”

“…Investigation and analyses of cohorts including subjects with wide ranges of primary pathologies is likely to account, in part, for this lack of clarity. Interestingly, despite the assumed belief that survivors of central nervous system tumours are likely to experience a high overall morbidity burden, they are invariably the one group of patients excluded from studies of school behaviour, performance and health status (Eiser and Town, 1987;Allen et al, 1990; Gamis and Nesbit, 1991;Glauser and Packer, 1991;Gregory et al, 1994). Consequently even less information regarding this high-risk population of survivors exists.…”

Childhood Leukemia Survivors and Their Return to School: A Literature Review, Case Study, and Recommendations

“…Studies have documented attendance problems and school phobia in survivors of childhood cancer, often because of a significant amount of missed school days (Williams, Ochs, Williams, & Mulhern, 1991). Treatments often change a child's appearance, stamina, and well-being that contribute to social unease and, if not appropriately addressed, may lead to school phobia (Gregory et al, 1994). Other studies have suggested that factors contributing to the high rate of absenteeism and school phobia are related to the child's sense of failure when he or she cannot perform at his or her expected level.…”

“…Successful school reintegration for children diagnosed with cancer is best facilitated by a coordinated effort between and within the home, school, and hospital ecosystems; but explicit models for promoting such coordinated reintegration have been scarce (Harris, 2009). Often, school services lack the comprehensive approach to care that has been found to be so essential to the successful treatment of chronic health condition such as childhood cancer (Gregory et al, 1994;Keene, 1999;Linet et al, 1999). It is common practice for school reintegration programs to focus on getting a child with cancer mainstreamed and back into a regular educational setting.…”

“…Although some children return with few signs of the disease or the effects of treatment, many more experience significant or subtle deleterious effects that adversely affect their ability to function in the school or social environment (Peckham, 1991;Sexson & Maden-Swain, 1993). More than half of all children diagnosed with cancer will have leukemia or a form of brain tumor (Butler & Haser, 2006), and many of these children will be at risk for learning impairment either because of the cancer or because of its treatment (Armstrong, Blumberg, & Toledano, 1999;Butler & Haser, 2006;Gregory, Parker, & Craft, 1994;Peckham, 1989). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors in particular are known to be at risk for psychological, educational, occupational, and social problems stemming from their cancer experience and its treatment (Mannix & Boergers, 2010).…”