内堀 真弓

Objective: The aim of this article was to conduct a review of the literature of the experience of cancer patients caring for young children in Japan and overseas in order to reveal trends within this patient group. Further research should be worked on. Methods: Electronic search engines, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Ichushi Web were used to find reviews of literature of experiences of cancer patients with children throughout Japan and overseas. Key words,「cancer」「parent」 「mother」「father」and「child」were used in combination. Collected “parenting experiences of cancer patients” were collectively divided by similarity. Results: 42 targeted analysis studies were found. The study began in the 1990s both overseas and in Japan. The number of studies was counted every 5 years and had more than doubled in the 5 year period between 2011 and 2016. Majority of studies target women; Reveal high incidents of breast cancer. Cancer Patients were unable to carry out their traditional roles, and their confidence in parenting declined. Moreover, informing children about their cancer became problematic. A variety of factors influenced when and how the parents informed their children about cancer; child’s developmental stage, patient’s gender, home environment and parents’ mental state. Conclusion: Findings indicated that the experience of mothers with breast cancer gradually become clear while the study of fathers is extremely rare. Those of fathers revealed a need for gender sensitive care. Therefore, it is important to further search men’s experiences. Present research concerning the child’s developmental stage is minimal, however informing the children about parents’ cancer has different problems depending upon their age range.