Parent and Carer Experiences of the Process of Obtaining Their Child’s Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study

This study explores the experiences and meaning‑making processes of parents and carers whose child has received a cancer diagnosis. The project aims to understand how families interpret, navigate, and emotionally process the diagnostic stage, and how these early experiences shape their journey through treatment and engagement with psychosocial support. While clinical pathways and medical outcomes are well documented, far less is known about the internal, relational, and contextual factors that influence how families make sense of what is happening to them. This research seeks to address that gap by centring the voices of parents and carers and examining the personal, cultural, and systemic influences that shape their experiences. The purpose of the study is twofold. First, it aims to contribute to the evidence base on family experiences during the diagnostic phase of childhood cancer, an area where research remains limited despite its profound emotional and practical impact. Second, it seeks to generate insights that can inform service development, enhance communication, and support more responsive, family‑centred psychosocial care. By understanding how families interpret and respond to the diagnostic process, services can better align support with their needs, expectations, and values. Expected Outcomes: 1. A clear picture of how each parent or carer personally experiences and makes sense of their child’s cancer diagnosis, focusing on their feelings, thoughts, and the meaning this moment holds for them. 2. An understanding of the different aspects that shape these experiences; this may include family relationships, cultural background, past experiences, and how they were treated by healthcare staff. 3. Insight into what helps parents feel listened to and supported, and what gets in the way, based on how they describe and interpret their early interactions with the healthcare system. 4. Practical suggestions for improving communication and emotional support, grounded in what parents say would have made a difference for them during the diagnosis stage. 5. Easy‑to‑read summaries of findings that share what was learned in a respectful and sensitive way, so families, healthcare teams, and other organisations can use this knowledge to improve support for others in the future.