What is the role of grandparents of grandchildren with cancer?

During the child’s treatment, grandparents can be heavily involved in providing intangible (e.g. emotional) and tangible (e.g. parental respite, childcare) support. This involvement can lead to increased family closeness and can heighten grandparents’ emotional bonds with the sick child and their siblings. 

However grandparents may also harbour their own concerns and fears, many of which remain unshared. Grandparents can believe that their own distress is illegitimate in the context of parent’s and sibling’s distress. Despite putting their own lives on hold during the child’s treatment, grandparents may feel ignored by the child’s healthcare team and receive little targeted information or psychosocial support.

What does this study aim to achieve?

Our grandparent study aims to assess the extent of distress grandparents experience when their grandchild is diagnosed with cancer. 

We also aim to assess their need for information, use of support services and/or the barriers they experience when trying to access support. 

To measure these aims, we also need 'controls' who are grandparents of grandchildren who have not had cancer. This is to compare results between the two grandparent groups.

Am I eligible to participate?

This study is currently recruiting people who meet the following criteria:

  • Grandparents whose grandchild was diagnosed WITH cancer when aged 16 years or younger
                                                                       OR
  • Grandparents of one or more grandchildren WITHOUT cancer

What does study participation involve?

To participate in the study, we ask that you:

  • Read the information sheet
  • Complete a survey (online or pen/paper surveys available)
        The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete

Still have questions? Please contact the study coordinator, Dr Claire Wakefield:

How is this study supported?

This study is supported by the Kids With Cancer Foundation and RedKite.