Parenting experiences of cancer patients with minor children and their conversations about the possibility of death: a cross-sectional web-based survey for an online cancer community.

PURPOSE: Many cancer patients with minor children experience difficulty talking about their illness with their children. This study aimed to investigate the parenting experiences of cancer patients with minor children and their conversations about the possibility of death. METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted between April and May 2019. Cancer patients with at least one child aged < 18 years were recruited from an online peer support group called "Cancer Parents." The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their experiences of talking about their illnesses with their children. The participants were classified into those who disclosed their cancer to their children ("disclosing group"), and those who did not disclose ("non-disclosing group"). The association between whether they talked with their children about their cancer, and whether it included conversations about the possibility of death, was examined. RESULTS: A total of 370 parents participated (with 80.8% female parents, with a median age of 43.0 years). The disclosing group (n = 274, 74.1%) wanted to know what their child felt, more than the non-disclosing group did (p < 0.001). Members of the non-disclosing group had a greater tendency than those in the disclosing group to report that they did not want their children to see their suffering (p = 0.002) and did not know how to explain their disease status (p < 0.002). Some members of both the disclosing (42.1%) and non-disclosing (6.5%) groups told their children about the possibility of death. CONCLUSION: This study showed that 74.1% of the patients with minor children disclosed their cancer to their children. The parents' feelings when thinking about interacting with their children differed significantly between the disclosing and non-disclosing groups. It is important for healthcare professionals treating patients with cancer to provide appropriate multidisciplinary support for discussing their diagnosis and prognosis with their children.

Association Between Loneliness and the Frequency of Using Online Peer Support Groups Among Cancer Patients With Minor Children: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study.

CONTEXT: Cancer patients with minor children are increasing; however, they do not receive sufficient support. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between loneliness and the frequency of using online peer support groups among cancer patients with minor children. METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted from April to May 2019. Cancer patients with minor children were recruited from an online peer support group called "Cancer Parents." Individuals diagnosed with cancer and whose youngest children were younger than 18 years were enrolled. Materials included: the UCLA Loneliness Scale version 3 (UCLA-LS), K6 scale, abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale, and the sociodemographic/clinical characteristics questionnaire. Multivariate logistics regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with the high loneliness group (defined as those above the median score on the UCLA-LS). RESULTS: A total of 334 patients participated (79.9% female; mean age 43.1 years, standard deviation 5.8). The most common primary cancer type was breast (34.1%). The median score of the UCLA-LS was 45 (interquartile range 37-53). The multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that the high loneliness group was significantly associated with the frequent use of online peer support group less than once a week (odds ratio [OR] = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.26-0.85; P = 0.012), with a smaller social network (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.73-0.83; P < 0.001), and higher psychological distress (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.09-1.23; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent use of online peer support groups was associated with less loneliness among cancer patients with minor children.