Abstract:

Cancer, which is often used synonymously with death, pain, and suffering, creates a crisis that causes patients to have a difficult coping period and requires emergency intervention. Researches show that mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are quite common in cancer patients. Pediatric and oncology nurses have great responsibilities in the processes of detecting and applying pharmacological and non-pharmacological solutions for mental illnesses that may develop in pediatric cancer patients. Offering evidence-based practices in the care of pediatric oncological patients and disseminating such interventions in the clinics will make significant contributions for improving the quality of life of children and reducing the symptoms of mental illness. Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral changes, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and current practices for the care regarding pediatric cancer patients are included in the present review.

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