Life expectancy in children with cancer: A review

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5585325230114

• Palavras-chave: Child cancer; Coping; Hope.

• Keywords: Child cancer; Coping; Hope.

• Abstract:

  With the diagnosis of childhood cancer, the child is subjected to various treatments that expose them to pain and suffering, changes in family dynamics and social interaction, and often physical and psychological limitations. For children with cancer, the disease is discovered abruptly and they are quickly placed in a new scenario. In addition to the adversities experienced by patients, coping strategies can help in the process of acceptance and the search for a cure. Objective: To map the types of evidence of the effectiveness and efficacy of hope in coping with pediatric cancer, through a scoping review. Method: The bibliographic search considered scientific production over the last ten years. The collection of articles was carried out critically based on the recommendations of the PRISMA guide and the PICO strategy was used to construct the problem question. To select the articles, descriptors in English and Portuguese were used to combine and screen for studies involving: "children with cancer", "oncological children", "coping", "hope", "hope in children". The following electronic databases were used: PubMed, Scielo and the Portal Periódicos Capes. Results: Six articles published between 2012 and 2023 were found. The results of the selected articles showed that life expectancy is used as a coping strategy for childhood cancer. Conclusions: There is evidence that hope contributes positively to coping with childhood cancer, reducing anxiety, overcoming the difficulties experienced, improving quality of life and mood. There were few studies evaluating hope as a coping strategy in the view of children with cancer.