Making sense of chronic disease. The eleventh Jack Tizard Memorial Lecture.

Three phases in psychosocial research for children with cancer are identified. These phases reflect changing fashions in theoretical perspective and determine the questions asked and the way in which professionals and families "make sense" of the disease experience. First, (1950s and 1960s) information about cancer was not shared with children and families were prepared for the inevitability of death. Second, (1970s and 1980s), the focus shifted from "dying" to "living" with a life-threatening condition. Information became more open. Currently, there is still greater emphasis on "living" with cancer. Attention has also shifted to the psychological needs of the long-term survivor.