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 master’s-prepared 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.