Holistic Care for Children with Cancer in India: Advancing Comprehensive Support Across the Childhood Cancer Journey

Significant improvements in childhood cancer survival have been achieved in India over the past two decades. However, survival alone does not fully capture the experiences and outcomes of children with cancer and their families. Childhood cancer affects multiple domains of life, including physical health, nutrition, emotional well-being, education, social functioning, and family dynamics. Holistic care seeks to address these multidimensional needs through integrated, family-centered approaches that accompany children throughout diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, relapse, end-of-life care, and bereavement. At the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI) National Stakeholder Workshop on Childhood Cancer, held in New Delhi on 21 May 2026, holistic care emerged as a critical pillar for strengthening pediatric oncology services nationwide. This paper summarizes the work of the workshop’s Holistic Care subgroup, describing the vision, challenges, ongoing initiatives, implementation gaps, and consensus policy recommendations related to holistic care. Organized around four interrelated domains: Nutrition, Psychosocial Care, Palliative Care, and Supportive Care, the Holistic Care pillar highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in improving both survival and quality of life. While substantial progress has been made through national guidelines, workforce development, educational resources, and collaborative networks, significant inequities in access and implementation remain. Strengthening policy support, workforce capacity, and integration of holistic care into national childhood cancer strategies will be essential to ensuring that every child with cancer in India receives comprehensive, equitable, and compassionate care.