The diagnosis of cancer in a child or teenager is a devastating blow to the parents and other family members who love the child. Cancer creates an instant crisis in the lives of the family. Normal daily life stops. Parents must be away from work so they can be with their child. Siblings may need to be cared for by relatives or neighbors. The ill child (the patient) becomes the major focus of family time and attention, while other concerns are put on hold. Parents are given detailed information about the diagnosis and treatment. They must understand enough about the treatment plan to feel comfortable enough to give permission for tests and procedures, sign consent forms for treatment, and make important decisions about their child's care. This is a lot to ask.

To add to the stress, all of this happens in a very short period of time. In the first days and weeks after the diagnosis, parents describe feeling as if they are on an emotional roller coaster, or in a bad dream. These feelings seem to affect just about all parents going through such a difficult time. But what parents actually say or do to express these feelings differs. How they handle their emotions usually reflects their own life experiences, cultural differences, and their individual coping styles in response to major stress.

Go back to Children Diagnosed with Cancer: Dealing with Diagnosis.

Last Medical Review: 06/02/2009
Last Revised: 06/02/2009