- Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer: Dealing With Diagnosis
- How should children be told that a parent has cancer?
- Should I expect my child to be upset?
- Are there certain responses I should expect?
- What if my child asks if I’m going to die?
- How can I reassure my child that everything will be fine?
- How will I know if my child needs extra help?
- Words to describe cancer and its treatment
- To learn more
- References
Previous Topic
To learn more
References
Christ GH, Christ AE. Current approaches to helping children cope with a parent’s terminal illness. CA Cancer J Clin. 2006;56:197-212.
Harpham WS. When a Parent Has Cancer: A guide to caring for your children. New York: HarperCollins, 2004.
Kupst MJ, Patenaude AF. Coping with pediatric cancer. In Wiener LS, Pao M, Kazak AE, et al (Eds). Quick Reference for pediatric oncology clinicians: The psychiatric and psychological dimensions of pediatric cancer symptom management. Charlottesville, VA, 2009: IPOS Press: 130-139.
National Cancer Institute: When Someone In Your Family Has Cancer. Accessed at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/when-someone-in-your-family-archived/page1 on May 19, 2010. Content no longer available.
Thastum M, Watson M, Kienbacher C, et al. Prevalence and predictors of emotional and behavioural functioning of children where a parent has cancer: a multinational study. Cancer. 2009;115:4030-4039.
Welch AS, Wadsworth ME, Compas BE. Adjustment of children and adolescents to parental cancer. Parents’ and children’s perspectives. Cancer. 1996;77:1409-1418.
Last Medical Review: 07/20/2012
Last Revised: 07/20/2012