Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program

Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program (SCCIP)

Surviving Cancer Competently - Newly Diagnosed (SCCIP-ND) is a manualized three-session intervention for parents and caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer.  SCCIP-ND materials are available in English and Spanish. 

SCCIP-ND is an integrated cognitive behavioral and family systems intervention, designed to promote healthy family adjustment to pediatric cancer and treatment and to prevent cancer-related posttraumatic stress symptoms in family members.

SCCIP-ND was based on research indicating the presence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress in childhood cancer survivors and their parents. The intervention is structured according to the following:

• Session 1 helps caregivers identify their beliefs about cancer and discuss how beliefs influence feelings, behaviors, and family relationships.
• Session 2 helps caregivers understand how adverse beliefs can impact family functioning and addresses the benefits of reframing beliefs to enhance their feelings, behaviors, and family relationships.
• Session 3 engages caregivers in a guided discussion regarding the role of cancer in the family. The “Family Survival Roadmap” is used to help caregivers recognize their beliefs about the future and share beliefs with each other.

The intervention is based on four key therapeutic constructs that are integrated throughout each session: joining with the family; maintaining an interpersonal focus; normalizing the family’s experience; and focusing on the family’s strengths and growth. SCCIP-ND also utilizes the “Video Family Discussion Group” tool throughout the intervention as a virtual proxy for a supportive discussion with other caregivers of children with cancer.

SCCIP-ND implementation materials are available for English- and Spanish-speaking therapists and families.

Research on SCCIP-ND was supported by the National Cancer Institute (CA88828). SCCIP-ND is disseminated by CPTS. 

For information about SCCIP-ND, its use, and upcoming trainings, contact CPTS.

SCCIP References

Canter KS, Deatrick JA, Hilgart MM, et al. eSCCIP: A psychosocial ehealth intervention for parents of children with cancer. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2019;7(1):44

Kazak, A., Simms, S., Alderfer, M., Rourke, M., Crump, T., McClure, K., Jones, P., Rodriguez, A., Boeving, A., Hwang, W.T. & Reilly, A. (2005). Feasibility and preliminary outcomes from a pilot study of a brief psychological intervention for families of children newly diagnosed with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 30, 644-655.

Kazak, A., Simms, S., Barakat, L., Hobbie, W., Foley, B., Golomb, V., & Best, M. (1999). Surviving Cancer Competently Intervention Program (SCCIP): A cognitive-behavioral and family therapy intervention for adolescent survivors of childhood cancer and their families. Family Process, 38, 175-191