Distressing and positive experiences and important aspects of care for adolescents treated for cancer. Adolescent and nurse perceptions Mariann Hedström , , a, Inger Skolin b and Louise von Essen a a Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Section of Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden b Department of Clinical Science, Division of Paediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Abstract Distressing and positive experiences for adolescents with cancer with regard to being told the diagnosis, receiving chemotherapy and being admitted to the ward, and important aspects of care for adolescents with cancer was investigated. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 23 adolescents and 21 nurses, and analysed by content analysis. The findings indicate that cancer during adolescence is connected with a range of negative experiences such as fears of alienation, fears of altered appearance, fears of dying, and various physical concerns. Positive experiences include positive relations to staff and being well cared for. Important care for adolescents treated for cancer consists mainly of meeting nice, friendly, supportive, and competent staff, who provide them with age-appropriate information. The findings indicate that adolescents with cancer experience a range of negative and positive experiences related to disease and treatment and that good care for adolescents with cancer is a broad, complex, and multidimensional phenomenon. European Journal of Oncology Nursing Volume 8, Issue 1 , March 2004, Pages 6-17 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.