Author(s)

Criss Koba Mjumbe^1,2*, Béatrice Koba Bora³, Oscar Luboya Numbi^1,2,4, Prosper Kalenga Mwenze^1,2,5, Henry Mundogo Tshamba^1,2, Benjamin Kabyla Ilunga^1,2, Jean Pierre Birangui⁶

¹Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
²School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
³Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
⁴Pediatric Oncology Unit, Lubumbashi University Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
⁵Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
⁶Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Objective: To determine the psychosocial problems, social acceptance and the impact of the costs of parents whose child has cancer. Method: We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study over two-year periods (from January 3, 2018 to March 31, 2020) in the pediatric oncology unit of clinics at the University of Lubumbashi, in DR Congo. Results: 129 parents of children with cancer in the pediatric oncology unit were included in our study. Most children with cancer (53%) were accompanied by their mothers who had a low level of education (53.0%). Emotional shock was the most observed reaction (68%) to the announcement of the disease (cancer). Retinoblastoma has had a significant economic impact on families without medical coverage. Only 38% received psychological support from parents. Sadness was the most common feeling (77%) of households. Support workers consider their relationship with the medical profession acceptable in 67% and difficult in 11%. The majority of parents (78%) felt that the time to provide medical care was longer than expected. Conclusion: Parents of children with cancer had different feelings and reactions. This observation may be useful for the development of a health policy, in particular that of pediatric cancer in DR Congo.

Cancer, Psychological Aspect, Social Aspect, Parents, Treatment

Mjumbe, C. , Bora, B. , Numbi, O. , Mwenze, P. , Tshamba, H. , Ilunga, B. and Birangui, J. (2020) Psychosocial Lived Experience of Parents with Children Diagnosed with Cancer in Lubumbashi. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 11, 749-757. doi: 10.4236/jct.2020.1112065.