To learn more
National organizations and websites*
Cancer Really Sucks
Website: www.cancerreallysucks.org
A monitored, online resource designed for teens by teens who have loved ones facing cancer
Cancercare
Website: www.cancercare.org
Offers “Pillow Talk,” a care package to help families better communicate with each other and feel more comfortable talking about cancer.
KIDSCOPE, Inc.
Website: www.kidscope.org
Has online materials to help children cope with the diagnosis and treatment of a parent with cancer, including a virtual comic book for children about chemotherapy (Kemo Shark) and a video for kids about a mom with breast cancer
Kids Konnected
Toll-free number: 1-800-899-2866 (If you get voicemail, leave a message to get a call back)
Website: www.kidskonnected.org
A support network for children and teens who have a parent with cancer and for those who have lost a parent to cancer
Children’s Treehouse Foundation
Website: www.childrenstreehousefdn.org
Website includes resources and locations of support programs for children whose parents have cancer.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Toll-free number: 1-800-422-6237
TTY: 1-800-332-8615
Website: www.cancer.gov
To learn more about cancer or to get special information for teens; you can call to order a special booklet for teens whose parents have cancer or read it online at: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/when-your-parent-has-cancer-guide-for-teens
No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Helping Children When A Family Member Has Cancer: Dealing With Treatment
- Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer: Dealing With Treatment
- Why tell children about the cancer treatment?
- What do children need to know about the cancer treatment?
- How do we handle all the changes?
- How can I make sure my child understands what I tell them?
- What if my child starts acting differently after I start treatment?
- How can relatives and friends help my children?
- Should children visit the hospital or clinic?
- How much should I tell my child’s school about my illness?
- What if people ask my child about my illness?
- How do families deal with uncertainty after treatment?
- Cancer changes everyone in the family.
- Does having cancer cause special problems in non-traditional families?
- What helps, by age of the child
- Words to describe cancer and its treatment
- To learn more
- References
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Medical Review: January 29, 2015 Last Revised: April 27, 2015
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.