The family of the child with cancer: socioeconomic needs.

OBJECTIVE To identify the socioeconomic variables which influence the families of the child with cancer. METHODS Quantitative, descriptive, correlational research with 128 families of children with cancer. Three instruments were used: "Questionnaire assessing the impact on the family of children with cancer", "Social Support Satisfaction Scale", and "Graffar Scale". RESULTS Families report increased economic spending due to the disease, with the displacements to hospital and medication. The loss of income by one of the parents also exacerbates the economic impact of the disease. Families with greater support needs and lower social support present greater economic impact. CONCLUSION The social support assumes an important role in the decrease of the economic needs incited by the disease. Nurses must identify the economic needs of the families and become part of the support network of them, being a source of support so they can strengthen themselves in caring.