Parenting with chronic cancer: a relational perspective.

Living with chronic cancer poses unique challenges for parents caring for minor children. The demands of the illness such as pain, fatigue, and loss of mobility, as well as caregiver responsibilities, can conflict with the patient's and partner's idea of what it means to parent. This article examines the ways in which chronic cancer impacts the parental role using Attachment as a theoretical framework. Case examples and implications for clinical practice in both health care and mental health settings are provided.