Not Like It Used to Be, But a New Life: Social Reintegration of Adolescents After Childhood Cancer Treatment

Eyşan Hanzade Savaş ^1* Münevver Erkul ² Remziye Semerci ¹

• ¹ Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
• ² Antalya Bilim University, Döşemealtı, Antalya, Türkiye

Introduction: Childhood cancer is a health problem that involves long and tiring treatment processes and leaves deep and lasting effects on both children and their families. For children diagnosed with cancer, surviving long-term cancer treatment imposes serious restrictions on the child's physical and emotional development. It can negatively impact their social life in the long term. This study aims to qualitatively examine the social reintegration processes of adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer.A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with 11 survivors. The interviews were conducted in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. During the interviews, the participants' voices were recorded and professionally transcribed. Two study team members analyzed the transcripts thematically using MAXQDA. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research were followed.The analysis revealed that adolescent survivors of childhood cancer encountered various factors that either facilitated or hindered their social reintegration process. Our analysis identified two main themes and seven sub-themes. The first main theme, Facilitators of the Social Reintegration Process, includes (i) Family and Social Support Resources, (ii) Maintaining Daily Routines, and (iii) Exploring New Passions and Outlooks. The second theme, Challenges to the Social Reintegration Process, encompasses (i) Discomfort with Body Image, (ii) Reconstructing Social Relationships, (iii) Exposure to Stigma and Bullying, and (iv) Forced Break from the School Setting.This study reveals the complex social reintegration process of adolescent survivors of childhood cancer and identifies both the supporting factors and the barriers they face. While family and peer support, maintaining routines, and exploring new passions make it easier for adolescents to adjust to life after treatment, challenges remain, such as body image concerns, difficulties reestablishing friendships, stigma, and issues with school reintegration.