International Childhood Cancer Day 2022; ways to support a Children’s Mental Health
“For a few months, the child must visit the hospital regularly, and they frequently require admission, chemotherapy treatments, and injections. As a result, a child’s life is turned upside down during treatment “Dr. Gauri Kapoor stated
Every year on February 15, International Childhood Cancer Day is watch to lift awareness about childhood cancer and show support for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, survivors, and their families. While there is a growing awareness of cancer in children, its impact on mental health remains a significant concern.
“Childhood cancer is curable,” says Dr. Gauri Kapoor, Medical Director Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), Nitibagh, and Director, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at RGCIRC Rohini. The treatment, on the other hand, is quite intensive. For a few months, the child must visit the hospital regularly, and they frequently require admission, chemotherapy treatments, and injections. As a result, a child’s life is turn upside down during treatment.”
“He/she also doesn’t understand what’s going on.” It’s difficult to explain because children are often so young that we can’t correctly make them understand the scientific basis of what we’re doing. So, as a result, it is a very stressful time,” Dr. Kapoor said, emphasizing the psychological impact of cancer on children.
Methods for promoting children’s mental health
- Try to anticipate and address this issue to minimize its impact on them, said the pediatric oncologist.
- Make every effort to show a rapport with the child. We try to explain what we’re going to do and what it means in simple terms.
- Make every effort to make the treatment as painless as possible for the child.
- Every effort to keep the environment and atmosphere child-friendly by providing games and activities.
- We have a pediatric counselor on staff to counsel children and parents, as the child must be seen in the context of their relationship with the family.
