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Challenge and hope for parents who have cancer

Parents who have cancer face particular problems in their relationships with children. This study aims to clarify 1) the current status of challenge/hope in parental cancer, 2) the factors related to challenge/hope, and 3) the relationship between challenge/hope and QOL/stress-coping ability. Cross-sectional national survey was conducted at designated cancer hospitals in Japan. Participants were undergoing cancer treatment and have children under 18 years old. The questionnaire included demographic data, QOL, ability to cope with stress, and challenge/hope. From 11 hospitals, 54 patients (response rate: 79.4%) participated. Majority of participants were female (72.2%) with the mean age of 39.3 ± 5.3 (SD). The total score was QOL (FACT-G: 50.4 ± 16.2), stress-coping ability (SOC: 46.7 ± 10.4). The main challenges were an inability to fulfill the parental role and children’s mental suffering due to loneliness. The main aspects of hope were the value of the children’s present self, being a parent, and strengthening family bonds. Gender and disease duration were significantly related with challenge/hope. Challenge was significantly related with QOL/stress-coping ability. Parents who have cancer derive hope from their relationship with their children, although they feel a gap between their ideal role/value as a parent and their current status.