According to the American Cancer Society, leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and teens, affecting one-third of children and teens diagnosed with cancer. Childhood leukemia is a distinct disease from adult leukemia due to its typical acute nature and the specific types that affect children.
The most common type of leukemia in children is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is about 90%.
Family caregivers for children with leukemia face a wide range of challenges that extend far beyond the medical aspects of care. These challenges are emotional, practical, financial, and relational, often overlapping and compounding one another.
For instance, the anxiety about prognosis, relapses, or treatment complications brings fear and uncertainty.
Aside from helping your loved one cope with pain and any side effects of their treatment, there’s also the fear of the unknown to address.
Additionally, other children in the home may feel neglected or resentful of the attention their sibling is getting. Families must also adapt their routines to protect the child with leukemia from germs, which can sometimes lead to social isolation.
Hear what Victor I., caregiver for his brother, has to say about family dynamics:
Ojalá hubiera podido prepararme para los cambios en la dinámica familiar y comunicarme con los demás miembros de la familia para que estuvieran al tanto de cómo iban las cosas y de los detalles del plan de tratamiento. De esa manera, toda la responsabilidad no recaería sobre una sola persona.