The school experience of the child with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review literature investigating school absence, behaviour problems and social relationships of children with cancer on return to school. Additionally, we reviewed interventions aimed at promoting successful school re-entry for children with cancer, and increasing classmates and teachers understanding of childhood cancer.


METHODS
Electronic searches were used to identify studies examining the effects of school re-entry on children with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
School absences are higher for children with cancer than healthy children and those with other chronic conditions. Although there is mixed evidence about whether children have significant behavioural problems, studies involving social relationships generally conclude that children with cancer are more sensitive and isolated than peers, according to both peer and teacher report.
Vance
Y H
YH
CRC Child and Family Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK. Y.H.Vance@sheffield.ac.uk
Eiser
C
C
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D012919:Social Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States