Psychosocial functioning of childhood cancer survivors living in rural areas

High-dose chemotherapy currently used in the treatment of children with cancer may induce late effects on psychosocial and cognitive functioning in some of them. The aim of the study was to evaluate psychosocial functioning of childhood cancer survivors living in rural regions. In total, 29 children entered the study. The children were diagnosed as having cancer between 1993-1995 in a single centre. Each patient was examined 5 years after the completion of cancer therapy. The children had been diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma (72.4%), and solid tumours. Self-report questionnaires, as well as standardized psychological test (WISC-R, WAIS-R-PL) were performed for the evaluation of psychosocial and cognitive functioning of the patients. Most of the studied cancer survivors living in rural areas did not reveal diffi culties with cognitive and psychosocial functioning. In some patients, however, we observed more diffi culties in verbal tasks and existing major learning diffi culties. Cancer survivors living in rural areas in our region may be more unprivileged due to poor additional supporting services.