When we talk about treating cancer, we’re usually talking about the physiological. But health isn’t just about the physical body. While cancer treatments in and of themselves are about treating a physical ailment, effective cancer therapy goes far beyond surgeries, chemo, and radiation.

Health also encompasses the psychological and the sociological. While these things won’t and can’t eliminate cancer, psychosocial care does improve overall outcomes in cancer patients. It can aid in the management of symptoms as well as pain. It fights depression and anxiety as well, which can hinder recovery by damaging cognition, coping skills, and overall motivation and engagement.

So, what does psychosocial care for pediatric cancer patients look like?

Standards of Psychosocial Care for Kids with Cancer

Published by Pediatric Blood and Cancer, the leading medical journal in pediatric oncology and hematology, these are the standards – the absolute musts – for psychosocial care in children with cancer:

• Systematic assessment of psychosocial needs of both the patient and their families.
• Monitoring neuropsychological changes and impairments during and after treatment for children with brain tumors.
• Yearly screenings for risky health behaviors and education, social, and psychological issues in cancer survivors.
• Interventions and support for the child and their families, including access to psychiatric services.
• Assessment for financial hardship and referrals to appropriate resources, including financial counseling.
• Ongoing mental health assessments for both the patient’s parents and caregivers.
• Individualized psychoeducation and clear, accurate, and age-appropriate information and guidance on the cancer and its treatment.
• Developmentally appropriate preparation before invasive procedures.
• Opportunities for meaningful social interactions throughout treatment.
• Support services for the patient’s siblings.
• Support for school re-entry.
• Regular monitoring of adherence to the treatment plan.
• Palliative and end-of-life care.
• Bereavement support for families.
• Ongoing collaboration and communication between medical and psychosocial healthcare providers, patients, and their families.

The Psychosocial Support Pyramid

(Read more at the IFRC Psychosocial Centre!)

Psychosocial support is commonly arranged in a pyramid structure. The pyramid's base represents the widest percentage of people in need of support, while the top represents more specialized needs.

The Base – Basic Psychosocial Support

At the base, we have the most widely needed and basic psychosocial support. This type of care should be 100% accessible when at all possible. Basic psychosocial support for cancer patients would include interdisciplinary approaches to improve patient outcomes and minimize side effects and limitations. Education is a huge component.

The Second Layer – Focused Psychosocial Support

This layer involves the promotion of positive mental health and social wellbeing – specifically for prevention among patients and their families. Accessibility should never be an issue. Included here are integrated activities in healthcare and education, peer support groups, and other preventative care.

The Third Layer – Psychological Support

The third layer represents prevention and treatment for individuals and families suffering from more complex psychological distress. These people may be at risk of developing mental health conditions. This level includes basic psychological interventions, including counseling and psychotherapy.

The Top Layer – Specialized Mental Health Care

This includes specialized clinical care reserved for individuals facing chronic mental health conditions. These are people who have trouble coping in their daily lives and suffer from extreme distress. It may involve the treatment of PTSD and include inpatient psychological care.

Every childhood cancer patient and their families need basic psychosocial support. While fewer individuals will need specialized mental health care at the top of the pyramid, working on that base level helps avoid mental health crises to begin with. It’s key that healthcare providers help their patients establish helping coping mechanisms and meet needs that go beyond direct physiological care.

Parents, advocate for psychosocial care. Ask for resources. Advocate for your child and their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.

We have a role to play here, too. As Cancer Kickers – community members, family members, friends, and beyond – our role is to support and cheer on these incredible kids. We provide a small part of that sociological support by letting kids know they aren’t alone in their fight against cancer.

By showing solidarity and working to meet the needs of pediatric cancer patients and their patients – even if the only result is a smile – we can encourage those going through one of the toughest seasons of life.