Stressors associated with Pacific Islands children diagnosed with cancer and severe blood disorders

Pediatric cancer patients from the US-associated Pacific Islands have the option of referral to the United States for diagnosis and treatment through historical governmental agreements. These patients and their families travel thousands of miles, relocating for extended periods of time, to complete treatment. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of Pacific Islands children referred for treatment to a pediatric oncology clinic in Hawaii, the support services they utilized, and the difficulties they experienced during their relocation. The medical records of 100 children referred from the Pacific Islands to Kapiolani Women's and Children's Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii, between 1981 and 2002 were abstracted to gather data on treatment and service utilization. Interviews were conducted with 17 of these families for a more qualitative description of their experiences. The study found that families face considerable financial, emotional, and cultural stressors when relocating from the Pacific Islands to Honolulu for pediatric cancer treatment. The support systems currently in place can only partly address the needs of this population.