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Do as I say or die: Compliance in adolescents with cancer
Author(s) -
Windebank Kevin P.,
Spinetta John J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21460
Subject(s) - medicine , compliance (psychology) , blood cancer , die (integrated circuit) , cancer , intensive care medicine , family medicine , mechanical engineering , social psychology , engineering , psychology
Adolescence is a time of great physical change and maturing brain function. This leads to adolescents establishing independence and coming to terms with the implications of their own actions. Not surprisingly, this phase is characterized by experimentation with both constructive and destructive behavior. Studies in many areas of chronic illness have shown that adolescents frequently neglect their care and revolt against the rules established during their childhood. It is therefore to be expected that teenagers diagnosed with a life threatening illness, such as cancer, may on occasion not fully comply with their therapy. The way forward includes improving communication and fully involving these young persons in their treatment planning, thereby moving from compliance to concordance. Additional improvements should be sought in medication, early recognition and support of familial or social problems, and using a specific adolescent multidisciplinary team. Research should not be limited to clinical trials. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008:50:1099–1100. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.