Difficulties Faced by Adolescent Children of Mothers with Breast Cancer: An Analysis of Free Description of Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the difficulties faced by adolescent children of mothers with breast cancer. It was part of a self-administered questionnaire survey of breast cancer patients and their families conducted in three hospitals and two peer support groups. We used the response data in the free description provided by 27 children of breast cancer patients aged 12 to 18 years. Participants reported facing difficulties such as “thinking of their mother as a breast cancer survivor,” “changes in self-consciousness,” “relationships with family members and one’s role in the family,” and “interacting with others as a cancer patient’s family member.” Maternal breast cancer affected adolescents, caused changes within the family, and affected relationships around the family. To support these adolescents, it is necessary to help mothers accurately inform the children about their illness and, if necessary, introduce them to peers with whom they can share similar experiences and feelings.