A narrative review of the late effects of paediatric cancer treatment within an educational setting: Existing evidence and where do we go from here?

Abstract

Objectives: The late effects of paediatric cancer treatment within an educational context are an area that is relatively under researched within the United Kingdom. Methods: To support this narrative review, systematic searches were conducted in key scientific databases between May and December 2020. Results: Upon reviewing literature within this field, there are key considerations that should be addressed to provide clear and concise findings. These key considerations include clarification on whether the research undertaken focuses on the late or long term effects of paediatric cancer treatment, taking a consistent approach to data analysis with the aim to improve the validity of the study findings, utilising a mixed methodology to gain further depth to the findings as well as increasing the number of studies that focus on a specific tumour type rather than numerous types to allow a detailed study to be undertaken into the potential late effects a treatment for a specific tumour may elicit. Discussion: If these key considerations are taken into account when conducting further research within this field, it would enable consistent findings to be utilised in providing the optimum educational provision for survivors of paediatric cancer who remain within the education system.