Pediatric Cancer Survivor

Course Description: Definitions of “childhood cancer” may vary, depending on the geographical location and system referenced. This course will focus primarily on the needs of PCS ages 0-14 years, as described by the NCI (2020a). The term “survivor” will be used to describe an individual “from the time of diagnosis until the end of life” as guided by the NCI (2020a). References and recommendations will also apply to adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors, as many AYA survivors continue to receive care from pediatric health systems. OT practitioners must remain cognizant of the physiological, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics that quickly evolve and change during this transitional phase of adolescence. The field of OT lacks strong evidence to inform age and stage cancer appropriate care, specifically for children, adolescent and young adults (Wallis et al., 2020).  As such, it is essential that OT practitioners recognize potential late effects of childhood cancer and are prepared to treat PCS across diverse treatment settings across the lifespan.