Patrizia Rubbini Paglia, Antonio Ruggiero, Antonella Guido
Objectives. Approximately 50% of children with cancer experience pain. Pain may be due to the presence of the tumour or to effects of the different treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) utilized to treat it. Drawings can be a helpful means to collect hidden messages. Methods. The children's drawings collected at the Division of Pediatric Oncology of the Catholic University in Rome have been reviewed and analysed by the psychological staff. Results. Pain is an unpleasant experience with psychological and emotional impacts causing psychosocial consequences including depression, anxiety, and mood disturbances. Our experience has shown that spontaneous drawing with metaphorical representations is an invaluable aid capable of expressing hidden feelings of children. Discussion. Along with the use of proven scales and techniques for assessing pain, drawings can enhance children's communication about their deep emotions and fears.