During our February All-Member webinar our guest, Rebecca Kirch, Director of Quality of Life and Survivorship for the American Cancer Society, discussed and answered questions about the quality of life strategic agenda and its specific relevance for childhood cancer, including information about the upcoming Institute of Medicine March workshop on comprehensive childhood cancer care.
Research has improved treatments and boosted survival in some types of pediatric cancer, but treatment toxicities still cause a majority of children to experience distressing side effects and late effects — conditions that often cause significant suffering that continues into adulthood and can last a lifetime. A major goal of childhood oncology research and practice is to decrease the burden of treatment and improve the quality-of-life of pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their families across the lifespan. To achieve these goals, optimal care for children with cancer must comprehensively integrate pediatric palliative care with standard oncology care.