The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Endorses Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and their Families

    WASHINGTON, DC, April 13, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (www.aspho.org) has endorsed the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and their families. The scientific, evidence-based psychosocial standards first published in a special supplement of Pediatric Blood & Cancer, defines an optimal level of care that all children with cancer and their families should receive.

"Having our child diagnosed with cancer, undergo treatment, and die from this disease, we learned that childhood cancer is not just about the medicine! The psychological impact of childhood cancer is just as real as the physical consequences for patients and their families," said Vicki Sardi-Brown, Co-Founder of the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation. The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation had the vision to create and develop Standards of Care to ensure patients and families have access to an optimal level of psychosocial care from the time of diagnosis, through survivorship, or end of life and bereavement care. The project involved over 80 clinicians, researchers and healthcare practitioners, spanning a four year, international effort.

Founded in 1981, the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) currently has over 2,000 members. ASPHO's is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to promoting the optimal care of children, adolescents and young adults with blood disorders and cancer by advancing research, education, treatment, and professional practice. ASPHO is the only professional organization dedicated solely to the professional development and interest of subspecialists in pediatric hematology/oncology.

"The evidence-based Standards of Care represent a critical component of comprehensive cancer care for children. It is now time for programs that care for children with cancer, along with insurers and policymakers, to provide the support needed to ensure that the standards are implemented across all treatment sites and settings," said ASPHO President Amy Billett, MD, director of safety and quality at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

The development of the Psychosocial Standards of Care is a major step forward in addressing the needs of children with cancer and their families. The integration of psychosocial care along with disease-directed treatment improves the quality of life across the cancer trajectory. Depression and other psychosocial concerns can affect adherence to treatment regimens and decrease coping abilities. Therefore, making psychosocial care an essential component of standard treatment maximizes positive treatment outcomes.

Now that the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families have been published, The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation and the team of pediatric oncology experts, advocates, policy and lawmakers, along with health insurers and accrediting associations, are working to encourage the rapid adoption of the Standards in clinical sites throughout the country. Learn more at www.mattiemiracle.com/standards.

The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)3 Public Charity founded in the memory of Mattie Brown, who died at the age of 7 from Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation is dedicated to increasing childhood cancer awareness, education, advocacy, research and psychosocial support services to children, their families, and medical personnel. Children and their families will be supported throughout the cancer treatment journey, to ensure access to quality psychosocial and mental health care, and to enable children to cope with cancer so they can lead happy and productive lives. Visit us at www.mattiemiracle.com

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