Children and Cancer

Despite medical advances cancer is still synonymous with death which causes difficulties in coping with the disease in its different phases starting from the moment of diagnosis. This work proposes an in-depth study of the ways in which children with cancer deal with and cope with the disease as well as the emotional expressions and psychological resources present in the process of becoming ill. Data was collected at a philanthropic institution that supports children with cancer at a public outpatient clinic specializing in onco-hematology and at a public school in the state of São Paulo. A total of 60 children of both sexes aged between 7 and 13 were assessed 30 of whom were from the school population for the control group and 30 from the clinical group with various cancer diagnoses. The H-T-P (House-Tree-Person Drawing Test) and the Person in the Rain Drawing Test were applied. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The study demonstrated the impact of the disease on psychological development and the psychological resources of children with cancer. This book is aimed at psychologists and health professionals.