The impact of cancer on healthy siblings

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective is to identify the variables that influence the impact of cancer on healthy siblings. Method: This is a quantitative, descriptive and correlational study with 83 families of children with cancer. We used the “Questionnaire to Assess the Impact of the Children's Cancer on the Family”, “Social Support Satisfaction Scale”, “Graffar Scale” and “Apgar Scale”. Results: The results show a relation between social support (X²=5.031, gl=1, p=0.025), expenses (t=-2.009, gl=81, p=0.048), disease impact on family structure (t=-3.210, gl=81, p=0.002) and the impact of the disease on healthy siblings. Conclusion: Social support plays an important role in these families, especially in the impact of the disease on healthy siblings. Nurses should identify the support systems that families have available, as well as their family functionality and the implications for healthy siblings.