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Talking with Kids about Cancer

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How to Talk to Kids about Cancer

If you鈥檙e a parent and you鈥檝e been diagnosed with cancer, you may worry how to tell your 人妻中出视频ren. These tips will help guide you in talking with your kids about your diagnosis and treatment.

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Why Kids Need to Know

Children are quick to pick up on stress in the family. Many times, their imagined fears are worse than what is really happening. Studies show that 人妻中出视频ren need accurate information that is right for their age when a parent or loved one has cancer.

When Kids Need to Know

Talk to your 人妻中出视频 as soon as you feel comfortable. Children often feel hurt if they learn about a loved one鈥檚 illness from someone else.

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What Kids Need to Know

Children and teens need to know when someone in the family has cancer. Your 人妻中出视频 will want to know where the cancer is in the body. It鈥檚 important to use the word "cancer," because it is different from other illnesses.

  • Make sure your 人妻中出视频 knows they did not cause the disease.
  • Explain that you cannot "catch" cancer.
  • Let your 人妻中出视频 know that many people survive cancer.

Kids can learn and grow from a loved one鈥檚 illness. This challenge may help everyone in your family be more sensitive and kind. Getting through this stressful time can also bring a feeling of pride and self-worth for kids and grown-ups.

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Ways to Help Kids Cope when a Loved One Has Cancer

Here are some ways to help kids cope when a parent or loved one has cancer.

Talk to them

  • Encourage your kids to ask questions without pushing them to talk.
  • Find out what your 人妻中出视频 knows about cancer to help address any misconceptions or ideas. You may be surprised!
  • Ask questions that need more than yes-or-no answers. Here are some examples:
    • What is the most confusing part of Mom鈥檚 cancer?
    • What do your friends say to you about my cancer?
  • Encourage your 人妻中出视频 to express thoughts and feelings.
  • Share your own thoughts and feelings with your 人妻中出视频.

Give them helpful information

  • Let your kids know what to expect along the way. This will help them prepare for changes and possible side effects.
  • Help your 人妻中出视频ren name grown-ups they can go to for support or to talk.
  • Make sure your 人妻中出视频ren know who will take care of them if you need to be hospitalized.
  • Avoid making promises you鈥檙e not sure you can keep.
  • Don鈥檛 worry your kids with details they can鈥檛 do anything about, such as money problems.

Manage their time

  • Make simple changes to help focus on each other:
    • Sit down to meals together.
    • Limit visitors.
    • Turn off phones.
  • When the person with cancer isn鈥檛 feeling well, plan play dates or fun activities with others.
  • Do your best to keep a regular structure and routine.
  • Give your 人妻中出视频 options about ways to help around the house.
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Here is a that may be found at our Cancer Learning Center, your local library, bookstores, or online. The books are divided by age into two lists: books on supporting 人妻中出视频ren and families coping with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and books to support 人妻中出视频ren and families coping with grief and death.

Social workers and 人妻中出视频 life specialists at Huntsman Cancer Institute are great resources for information and talking to your 人妻中出视频ren about cancer. You can contact the social work team at 801-213-5699 and 人妻中出视频 life specialists at 801-213-4292 or abbie.lofgren@hci.utah.edu.

Cancer touches all of us.