For a child undergoing cancer treatment, the hospital ward can be an isolating world of needles, scans, and long stretches away from friends and school. A new cross-sectional study from researchers at Ataturk University in Erzurum, Türkiye, adds a striking psychological dimension to that picture: children with cancer who have difficulty identifying and describing their own emotions— a trait known as alexithymia—also tend to experience markedly higher levels of social anxiety.

The study indicates that depression and anxiety are considerably more prevalent among adults who have survived childhood cancer. Read more: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-childhood-cancer-survivors-symptoms-anxiety.html

Survivors of childhood cancer face many of the same emotional challenges as their peers, but they also carry worries that are unique to survivorship. Many know they are at a higher risk of developing chronic conditions earlier in life than other young people, and that awareness can become a lasting source of stress. Read more: https://www.stjude.org/research/progress/2026/emotional-health-supports-physical-health-in-survivors-of-childhood-cancer.html

For pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS), the necessity and challenge of sustaining meaningful friendships is more pronounced due to differences in social, emotional and neurocognitive abilities, areas collectively called psychosocial functioning. Read more: https://www.stjude.org/research/progress/2026/understanding-best-friendships-and-psychosocial-health-in-pediatric-brain-tumor-survivors.html

Parental sense of coherence (SOC) “acts as a crucial mediator” between fear of disease progression and psychological distress among parents and caregivers of children with cancer, according to results from a recent study. Read more: https://www.cancernursingtoday.com/post/how-fear-of-progression-shapes-parental-distress-in-pediatric-cancer-care

Stigmatization and labeling, sometimes rooted in misinformation about cancer, compounded isolation and shaped concerns about future roles, relationships, and opportunities. Read more: https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/news/pediatric-cancer-alienation-improve-psychosocial-outcomes-treatment/

A new national study highlights both common ground and key diverging factors between parents and clinicians on what psychosocial needs matter most for children with cancer. Read more: https://journals.lww.com/oncology-times/fulltext/2026/02000/parents___clinicians_diverge_on_psychosocial.2.aspx

Oncologists should ask in advance about what young patients and their parents want to be told about changing prognoses, a new qualitative...

A new study finds a significant need for more resources in a lesser-known area of childhood cancer treatment. The study, conducted by...

While increased awareness of the growing rates of cancer in younger populations is important, psychologists say the conversation needs to...