Polish Society's Perspective on the Challenges Related to Childhood Cancer: Analysis of Public Opinion Research in Poland.

Abstract

Background: Treatment of children diagnosed with cancer requires coordinated, multimodal therapy that is often resource intensive and can occur over several years. In addition to physical suffering, children diagnosed with cancer experience an emotional burden that also impacts their families and communities. To best support these children and their families, we must understand society's perspective and assess its readiness to take action to improve the situation of children affected by cancer.

Aims: The aim of this study was to solicit the attitudes of the Polish community towards childhood cancer. Gaining an understanding of the Polish public's awareness and knowledge regarding childhood cancer will highlight areas for future exploration and education to improve childhood cancer outcomes.

Methods and results: This study was conducted in December 2023, as a component of a collaborative research effort (Institute of Mother and Child, SYNO and ABR SESTA). The Computer-Assisted Web Interview via website research technique was used; 1002 respondents from Poland participated, maintaining the structure of Poles according to gender, age, and size of place of residence. Pediatric cancer is an important topic that concerns everyone-young people, as parents or future parents, or older people, as grandparents who often take care of children. Therefore, everyone should have elementary knowledge on this subject. This is admitted by the respondents themselves, with 65% of the total declaring that they would like to know more about childhood cancer. This is emphasized even more by parents-72%. More than half of respondents believe that the availability and quantity of materials on this topic are insufficient, and only 34% admit that in Poland there is talk about childhood cancer. Respondents agree on increasing the coverage of the topic in the media (72%).

Conclusions: The perspective of Polish society, faced with the challenges related to childhood cancer, seems to be focused on the need to increase awareness, support families, access to high-quality health care, and promote activities aimed at improving the situation of children with cancer. The analysis of the study determines the need to expand the knowledge of Polish society about childhood cancer.