Parents' perceptions of obtaining a diagnosis of childhood cancer can include experiences of disputes and delays
QUESTION: What are parents' experiences of obtaining a diagnosis of cancer in their children?
Design
Semistructured interviews.
Setting
Leicester, UK.
Participants
Parents of 20 children (age range 4–18 y) diagnosed with leukaemia, malignant solid tumour, or brain tumour, and who received treatment within the previous 4 months at a paediatric oncology unit. 4 families were of South Asian origin and the remaining families were white.
Methods
Semistructured interviews with one or both parents were held in their homes over a 7 month period. Interviews were open ended, but the interviewer used a prompt guide. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the constant comparison method assisted by NUD*IST software. Theoretical saturation was reached by the 14th interview. Medical records were also analysed.
Main findings
Parents were first alerted to their child's illness by a range of medical signs and symptoms, and by behavioural and affective cues. Parents identified 2 groups of signs and symptoms: those for which innocent explanations could be found (eg, viral …
