Background:

Parents having to live with the experience of a child with a cancer diagnose are facing a lot of personal distress. For nurses to be able to support the family it is important to have knowledge and understanding of the reactions that the parents may have.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to illuminate parents' experiences of care encounters associated with the care of their children with cancer.

Methods:

This study was made as a literature review by an analysis of eight qualitative articles.

Result:

The result showed that experiences of parents to children diagnosed with cancer can be presented in four themes. These are: a sense of security, shame, loneliness and hope.

Conclusion:

The study enlightens how parents to children with cancer experience the care they receive. It also shows the importance of information in all areas, disease, treatment, prognosis and routines, to the parents. It highlights the parents' need for support.