Understanding how Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Narrate Their Lived Experience: Memorable Messages of Childhood Cancer Survivors

Childhood cancer affects thousands of children and families in the United States, leaving lasting emotional, physical, and psychological impacts on survivors. This study includes interviews with 13 survivors of childhood cancer to explore messages that stuck with them over time from their cancer journey. Researchers identified five types of messages that were prominent: (a) helpful support, (b) battle metaphor, (c) hurtful, (d) diagnosis and (e) limitation. These messages influenced survivors' self-perception, relationships, attitudes towards cancer, views on mortality, sense of responsibility, need for control and commitment to helping others. The findings highlight important ways to improve communication in cancer care, including how diagnoses are delivered, how resilience is fostered, the trust or distrust of medical professionals, communication between parents and children, and the use of battle metaphors in communication about cancer.