Education in Childhood and Adolescent Survivors of Hematologic Malignancies

Approximately 1,500 children and adolescents in Canada are diagnosed with cancer annually, with leukemias and lymphomas accounting for nearly half of these cases. Survivors often face lifelong health, psycho-social, and financial challenges, including disruptions to their education, particularly those undergoing intensive, prolonged treatments. However, the educational challenges of childhood and adolescent hematological malignancy (CAHM) survivors remain underexplored.

This study aims to support CAHM survivors’ reintegration into school and help them achieve their full educational potential. Collaborating with survivors, families, healthcare providers, educators, and researchers, and using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, we will: i) use the CAYACS database to analyze a large CAHM cohort from 1990-2020 to identify risk factors for poor educational outcomes; ii) conduct qualitative interviews, including CAHM survivors, families, and professionals to explore educational needs, experiences and school reintegration challenges; and iii) develop an evidence-based module for Survivorship Care Plans (SCPs) to support CAHM survivors’ school reintegration and success.