Back to normal: a salutogenic approach to remission spaces for childhood cancer survivors and their family

Abstract

Advances in childhood cancer research within Ontario and Canada have allowed for an increase in the 5-year survival rate. While the guidelines and care for treating the disease in its active state are well established, once in remission quality of care decreases significantly. Existing remission clinics only monitor for the physical symptoms of adverse effects from cancer treatment and not the psychological and psychosocial difficulties that affect the quality of life of these survivors and their families. Due to the increasing population of survivors and the likelihood of adverse effects, remission care should be restructured to not only address existing late effects but also enhance the survivors’ health before treatment is needed. This shift from a pathogenic approach to a salutogenic one not only addresses the gap within the pediatric oncology space but also creates a new precedent for health care for survivors of childhood cancer.