School reentry for school age children with cancer: changes in school behaviors as perceived by parents and teachers

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in school behaviors of children with cancer as perceived by their parents and school teachers. Subjects included 21 children, aged 6 to 12 years, receiving treatment for cancer. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires developed for both parents and teachers. The area most impacted was an increased frequency of school absences reported by both parents (p = 0.006) and teachers (p = 0.0001). Other areas impacted included use of specialized interventions with school work, decreased physical energy, teasing, and concern with physical appearance. Parents reported greater changes in these areas than teachers although they did not demonstrate statistical significance. Interview responses, however, suggested that adjustment in these areas may be difficult for some children. Findings of this study draw attention to potential difficulties children may experience during school reentry. A longitudinal study may be helpful to identify the process of school reentry further.