Helping childhood cancer survivors return to school: Roles, responsibilities, and challenges of school and health personnel

Every day, approximately 50 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. Childhood cancer survivors may face many obstacles, including issues related to returning to school. However, childhood cancer survivors who return to school more quickly can have a better quality of life as long as 10 years after treatment, are less likely to fall behind academically, and are more likely to be reintegrated readily into the school social environment. School re-entry can be facilitated by better preparing teachers and school personnel for their roles and responsibilities. This process can be enhanced by supporting collaborations among healthcare teams, school personnel, classmates, and family members. This study explored the experience of school personnel (teachers, school nurses, and others) working with childhood cancer survivors. Participants' knowledge of and confidence in the school re-entry process was studied before and after attendance at a school re-entry workshop conducted by the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Additionally, case studies were conducted to explore participants' experiences. Participants in this study found that working with childhood cancer survivors was an intense emotional experience. In addition participants identified three key components in facilitating the school re-entry process: 1) maintaining an open and supportive relationship with the family; 2) meeting the educational and emotional needs of childhood cancer survivors, and; 3) identifying and maintaining one's role as a professional. As a result of this study, recommendations were made for researchers in this field and for professionals working with childhood cancer survivors in the schools.