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 Even very young children can feel your stress and understand what is going on around them. So, it is important to be honest with them and let them know you are sick and that doctors are working to make you better.
Whether you are a parent who has been diagnosed with cancer, or you are telling a child about another family member's diagnosis of cancer, it can be difficult to find the right words and the right way to tell your children. Cancer is a complicated disease to understand. When a child's life is affected by the disease, it can be overwhelming and emotionally traumatizing. Fortunately, you can help your child overcome many of their fears by simply explaining the situation in a calm and reassuring way. Before telling a child about your cancer take into consideration his or her age, personality and maturity level. As a parent you should be able to recognize these factors and tailor the information accordingly. In an article published by the MayoClinic.com Joan Schmidt, who suffers from breast cancer, told each of her three children separately. She knew that the personalities and needs of her children were very different and that the way she told them was important. After Schmidt told her children, she also spent individual time with each child, doing things that would comfort them. Schmidt allowed an her oldest child to help her with daily tasks that she couldn’t complete. The child was comforted by the ability to help his mother out in her time of need. Another child needed one on one attention and quality time with his mother. Schmidt shared her feelings and cuddled with her middle child. Keeping a photo album of the family and having talks about family heritage comforted her young daughter. It is important to remember that each person is different and will react differently to the news that a close friend or family member has cancer. Being prepared for reactions and questions is important in telling your family and friends. Some Things You Should Know And Can Tell Your Children - More people are living with cancer now than ever before, and new ways to treat cancer are being discovered all the time.
- Having cancer doesn't necessarily mean a person will die from it.
- Cancer is not contagious -- you can't catch it from someone else or give it to anyone else.
- If someone in your family has cancer, that doesn't mean that you or anyone else in your family also will get it.
- Nobody can tell you why your parent or brother or sister is sick, and you're healthy.
- Nothing you did or didn't do caused your family member to get cancer.
- Nothing you thought or said caused your family member to get cancer.
- The way you behave cannot change the fact that someone has cancer or that your family is upset.
- It is good for you to continue with school and outside activities.
Visit the sites below for checklists and articles written about how to tell your family and friends that you have cancer. National Cancer Institute: National Cancer Institute: American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society: American Academy of Family Physicians: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): |
Coping with Cancer 