Year: 1993 Source: Pediatric Nursing, v.19, no.1, (January-February 1993), p.22-25 SIEC No: 19930418

When the threat of cancer is imposed during a period of intense developmental changes, it is difficult to envision that an adolescent has a strong enough sense of self to survive. Yet, adolescents with cancer tend to fight to live rather than succumb to death naturally or by suicide. Possible reasons for this fight to survive can be derived from Orbach, Grass, & Glaubman’s (1981) model of children’s attitudes toward life & death. (29 refs.)