Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — When treatment for childhood cancer ends, the emotional consequences often continue long afterward, according to a new Israeli study that points to persistent psychological distress among both survivors and their parents more than a year after therapy has been completed.
The study, conducted jointly by Bar-Ilan University and Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, found that symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression remain common well into survivorship. The findings highlight the long-term psychological burden of pediatric cancer, even after medical recovery is achieved.
An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer every year, according to the World Health Organization. Survival rates have improved dramatically in recent decades, but they vary sharply by region. In high-income countries, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer have a five-year survival rate, but in poorer areas, survival rates are frequently below 30 percent.
The research was led by Maya Yardeni, a PhD student at Bar-Ilan University and a senior psychologist in the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Division at Sheba Medical Center. Supervising the study were Sheba’s Prof. Dalit Modan-Moses and Prof. Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon of Bar-Ilan’s Department of Psychology. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Pediatric Research.
Researchers stressed that trauma in pediatric cancer does not stem from a single violent incident but from prolonged exposure to fear, invasive medical procedures, repeated hospitalizations, and constant uncertainty. These experiences can leave lasting emotional scars for children and their families.
“Even after treatment is over, children and their parents can continue to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Hasson-Ohayon, who heads Bar-Ilan’s Rehabilitation Psychology Lab. “Pediatric cancer is a shared journey of uncertainty and fear. Our study shows how critical it is to screen both children and parents and provide ongoing emotional support long into survivorship.”
Unlike many other medical conditions, pediatric cancer is experienced jointly by children and their caregivers. Parents accompany their children through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, sharing the ongoing sense of threat and loss of control. Over time, this shared exposure can translate into enduring psychological distress for both parties.
To explore these effects, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 118 childhood cancer survivors between the ages of 7 and 21, along with their parents. All participants were at least one year past the completion of treatment. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed using validated questionnaires, alongside medical and sociodemographic data drawn from hospital records.
By collecting information from both children and parents, the study enabled direct comparisons between survivors’ self-reported experiences and their parents’ perceptions. The results showed that psychological distress remains highly prevalent during survivorship and that symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression tend to be closely interconnected.
One notable finding was that parents’ assessments of their children’s emotional state were often more strongly linked to the parents’ own levels of distress than to the children’s self-reported symptoms. This suggests that unresolved parental trauma may influence how children’s well-being is interpreted during follow-up care.
The researchers said the findings carry important implications for clinical practice. Long-term pediatric oncology follow-up, they argue, should extend beyond physical health monitoring to include ongoing psychological assessment of both survivors and their parents. Giving greater weight to children’s own reports and providing tailored psychosocial support throughout survivorship could significantly improve long-term outcomes for families.
The study’s findings have clear practical implications for pediatric cancer care. Hospitals and clinics can implement long-term psychological screenings for both survivors and their parents, recognizing that distress, anxiety, and depression often persist well beyond treatment. Providing targeted psychosocial support — such as counseling, family therapy, and support groups — can help both children and caregivers manage ongoing emotional challenges. Moreover, the research also indicates that clinicians should prioritize children’s self-reports of their well-being, as parents’ perceptions may not always accurately reflect their child’s experience.
The scientists are now conducting a follow-up study examining whether trauma-focused psychotherapy for parents of childhood cancer survivors can reduce long-term symptoms and improve overall family well-being.
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