Adolescents with Cancer Report Their Psychosocial Needs

As part of an assessment of the psychosocial needs of patients in a university affiliated pediatric oncology program. Nine adolescents participated in a three-month support group. The topics discussed included the behavior of physicians and nurses including retaliatory actions: the physician-patient relationship: the reactions of peers and parents to the cancer patient; and reintegration into school and social life. The group members stressed the need for physicians to share personal information with patients and the patients to have positive attitudes toward recovery to be included in decisivns about treatment, and not to be allowed to "use" their illness.