Children and Adolescents in Cancer Treatment: an Analysis of the Vision of Postponing the Beginning or Interruption of School Education

Abstract

Introduction: The long duration of the oncological therapeutic process leads to relevant changes in the routine of the child and adolescent with social loss, making it impossible to attend formal school during the therapeutic period. Objective: To analyze, in the vision of children and adolescents in cancer treatment in a specialized hospital in the city of Salvador - BA, the implications and elements involved in the postponement of the beginning of school education or its interruption. Method: A descriptive study with a qualitative approach performed at Oncopediatria of the Aristides Maltez Hospital through interviews conducted individually with children and adolescents on cancer treatment. Results: Children and adolescents were interviewed, seven males and five females, aged between eight and seventeen. Out of these, two never studied while the others were able to attend formal school. Conclusion: Receiving the diagnosis has different repercussions among children and adolescents. Difficulties of clinical and psychological orders were verbalized, such as side effects of clinical treatment, change of routine and impossibility of attending formal school, etc. For teenagers, dealing with the need for school drop-out is difficult as they are closer to moving towards higher education or the job market.