DVD to reassure children facing cancer treatment

YOUNG cancer sufferers have teamed-up to help other victims by making a film telling them not to be scared of hospital.

A DVD has been produced to help young patients know what to expect ahead of lengthy, daunting hospital stays.

The Edinburgh project, the first of its kind in the country, is aimed at eliminating some of the myths about hospitals and treatment children might have heard, while also being realistic about what they face.

Six short films have been produced in total featuring youngsters who have been through the ordeal.

It is hoped if the project between the Children and Teenagers Scottish Cancer Network (CATSCAN) and NHS Lothian is a success, it will be expanded across the UK.

Dr Hamish Wallace, a paediatric oncologist for NHS Lothian who is the clinical lead for CATSCAN, said: "This is an exciting development which was initiated by parents and families.

"When we first started looking into this project, I was surprised to find that there was nothing like this which was readily available.

"It is so important to allay children's fears by telling them exactly what is going to happen when they go for a scan or go for treatment.

"This project is the first of its kind in Scotland, and we hope that it could be rolled out through the rest of the UK."

As well as being produced on DVD, the films will be uploaded on to video website YouTube. Each clip centres on a different area of hospital care, from the operating theatre to chemotherapy.

Around 150 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Scotland, and many of them are treated at the city's Sick Kids hospital. Iona Mills, 11, is one of the patients featured. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in July last year and had to undergo four courses of chemotherapy.

She is now in remission, and said she was keen to help others who would go through the same as she did. "Although the staff in the ward were very friendly and helpful, I still found it quite frightening when I went into hospital," she said.

"I think these films will help other children who are getting treatment because it will show them what to expect."

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon praised the scheme.

She said: "It's important that anyone going into hospital has as much information as possible. That's particularly true for people undergoing potentially lengthy cancer treatment – and especially children.

"That's why I'm confident these short films are going to make such an important contribution.

"They de-mystify the whole process for children at a time when they may be frightened or confused. I'm sure children and their families will find them very useful."