Memorable Messages in Childhood Cancer Narratives: How Communication Shapes Survivors’ Self-Concept, Mortality Views, and Understanding of Their Illness Experience

Childhood cancer is a prevalent disease in the United States with lasting impacts on survivors. This study explores how communication during the childhood cancer experience shapes survivors into adulthood. Interviews were conducted with 13 survivors of childhood cancer to investigate the types of memorable messages in their cancer narratives and how those messages shaped survivors' emotions and understanding of their cancer experience. Five types of memorable messages were identified through reflexive thematic analysis: diagnosis delivery, battle metaphors, caring, harmful, and expectation-setting. Participants' experiences reflected how these messages shaped the: (a) reconstruction of one's self concept, (b) reorientation of their relationships, and (c) meaning they made from their illness experience. Findings highlight implications related to pediatric cancer diagnosis delivery, fostering patients' resilience, (dis)trust of medical professionals, reframing parent-child communication, and reevaluating the battle metaphor.