Experiences with Childhood Cancer among Latinx Families: Identification of Informational and Support Needs Kristina Lopez, Courtney Gutierrez, Patricia Martarella, and Gabriela Jimenez Latinx children with cancer generally have poorer health outcomes than their non-Latinx White counterparts. The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of Latinx mothers whose children have been diagnosed with cancer at the onset of symptoms, the barriers surrounding the diagnostic process, and the resources families identify are needed post-diagnosis. The researchers conducted two focus groups (one in Spanish, one in English) with Latina mothers of children who have or experienced pediatric cancer in the United States. Two researchers conducted constant comparative analysis of the transcribed focus group audio recordings to identify themes. Themes included a sense of community support at the onset of symptoms, feelings of disbelief, helplessness, overload of information, and a need for advocacy in medical settings. Needs included more palatable and simplified information, financial assistance and resources, increased parental social support, accessible Spanish-speaking providers, and culturally informed care. Latina mothers indicated a range of challenges pertaining to childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment that may impact child and family outcomes. Implications for social work practitioners to reduce disparities and develop intervention programs for Latinx families of children with cancer are discussed. KEY WORDS: childhood cancer; disparities; families; Latinx C hildhood cancer has an undeniable ef- fect on children and their families be- ginning with the onset of symptoms. Childhood cancer survival rates have increased with the advancement of treatment technologies, yet cancer continues to be the second-leading cause of death in children and adolescents worldwide (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2018). Child- hood cancer survivors are susceptible to many phys- ical and psychological effects over their lifespan, including infertility, congestive heart failure, sec- ondary cancers, hearing loss, and health-related worries (Oeffinger et al., 2006; Zebrack & Chesler, 2001; Zebrack et al., 2002). Early detection and treatment are essential components of successful outcomes in cancer diagnoses (Bhatia, 2011; Raab & Gartner, 2009). In addition to the direct physical and mental health effects of cancer on diagnosed children, parents and families are at risk for marital discord, as well as greater adverse psychological outcomes including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (Brown et al., 2003; Lavee, & Mey-Dan, 2003). Children from racial/ ethnic minority groups, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, are more likely to have their cancer identified later and are at risk for poorer outcomes (Raghubar et al., 2019). For in- stance, Latinx children are diagnosed later and are at greater risk for death when diagnosed with cer- tain types of cancer compared to non-Latinx White children (Kehm et al., 2018). Yet, there is a dearth of information about the experiences Latinx families of children with cancer have throughout the diagnostic process. The purpose of this study is to better understand the experience of Latinx parents in their receipt of their child’s diagnosis, the process of accessing the diagnosis, and needs throughout the process. By exploring these experiences, social workers are provided with the lived experiences of Latinx parents, which can enhance the provision of quality and culturally informed care that increases identifica- https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hlab035 V C 2021 National Association of Social Workers 1 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/hsw/advance-article/doi/10.1093/hsw/hlab035/6456187 by guest on 09 December 2021