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Availability of child care resources for patients undergoing cancer treatment at NCIdesignated cancer centers
Journal of Clinical Oncology ; 40(16), 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2005675
ABSTRACT

Background:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that approximately one-quarter of adults with cancer are parents to children less than 18 years. Further, it is estimated that 2.85 million minor children in the United States have a parent undergoing cancer treatment. Previous studies have demonstrated that parents with cancer experience significant stress and disruptions to familial life following a cancer diagnosis. In a study of women with breast, gynecologic cancer and other cancers undergoing cancer therapy, 48.7% of women endorsed needing help with childcare and 64.1% needing help with household management. Despite this evidence supporting both a need for childcare among patients with cancer, data regarding the availability of on-site childcare programs and resources at NCI-designated cancer centers is limited. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the availability of childcare resources for parents who are undergoing cancer treatment at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

Methods:

The availability of childcare resources for parents undergoing cancer treatment at all 51 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers and 13 NCI-designated cancer was assessed in January 2021 and February 2021. Childcare resources were assessed via online search and telephone calls. Specifically, centers were queried regarding availability of daycare programs for children of patients undergoing treatment and whether resources were available to assist patients in need of childcare. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results:

In total, only 1/64 (1.6%) of NCI-designated cancer centers currently offer childcare resources for patients undergoing cancer treatment. This center offers childcare for children ages 2-8, free of charge with multiple outpatient locations. One additional institution previously provided patients with access to daycare, but has closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, only 1/64 (1.6%) NCI-designated cancer center offers financial assistance grants to aid patients to subsidizing childcare costs during cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

Institution sponsored options for childcare for patients undergoing cancer treatments are highly limited, even in the best resourced cancer care settings. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited options further, and many hospitals now restrict visitors under the age of 18. Patient grants or institutionally sponsored childcare provider networks may represent an avenue for supporting parents who are facing a cancer diagnosis. Supporting families of patients with cancer has great potential to impact quality of life, economic and psychological stress.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article