Childhood Cancers

The purpose of this study is to design Community Enhancing Resources for Childhood cAncer support (CERCA) and refine intervention procedures to target Health-related Social Needs (HRSN) in families of children with cancer. CERCA will leverage existing community resources and create partnerships that will lead to sustainable outcomes. The hypothesis is that through context-driven co-design and community-engaged research methods, the study team will develop an acceptable intervention to target unmet HRSN in families of children with cancer.

Primary Aim The primary aim of this study is to determine the quality of life and caregiving burden levels of caregivers of pediatric oncology patients and to examine the relationship between these two variables. Secondary Aims To evaluate the differences between caregivers' sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, education level, marital status, income level, etc.) and their quality of life. To examine the differences between caregivers' sociodemographic characteristics and their caregiving burden levels. To determine whether caregivers' quality of life and caregiving burden differ according to the diagnosis and treatment characteristics of pediatric oncology patients (duration of diagnosis, type of treatment, frequency of hospitalization, etc.). Significance of the Study Childhood cancer is a process that deeply affects not only the patient but also the family, particularly the caregivers. Family members who provide care for children often face intense physical, psychological, social, and economic burdens. These challenges reduce caregivers' quality of life and increase their caregiving burden. Identifying the relationship between the quality of life and caregiving burden among caregivers of pediatric oncology patients is highly important in planning support services for families during the care process and in strengthening family-centered care practices by healthcare professionals. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of family-centered approaches in nursing care, the design of psychosocial support programs, and a better understanding of caregivers' needs.

Despite advances in cancer treatment, significant disparities in outcomes persist between high-income countries (HICs) and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Around 80% of children with cancer live in LMICs, where they face challenges such as delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, comorbidities, distance to treatment, financial barriers, and limited access to risk-adapted therapies. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma(LBL), for example, is one of the greatest success stories in pediatric oncology, however, such improvements are not evenly distributed worldwide, and the outcomes for leukemia patients are poorer in LMICs compared to HICs, primarily due to reduced access to quality healthcare. This study aims to assess cancer treatment outcomes in LMICs, focusing on acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma. The findings will inform future studies to implement evidence-based interventions that improve care quality and reduce treatment failures through targeted strategies.