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Talking to children about cancer can be a very difficult thing to do; however, involving children in the situation and letting them know what is happening can be very supportive to them and can help them (and you) to cope better with the illness.
Talking with children can bring particular problems. Should you tell your child about your illness? Will you upset them? How much will they be able to understand, and what should you actually say?
If it’s your child who is ill, how can you possibly explain their cancer to them? Will talking with them upset you and make you lose control?
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support has a information booklet on talking to children about cancer, in a language they will understand, covering issues about how to discuss cancer, how much to tell a child. This is available free of charge from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre. Macmillan also have a website 'Why Bother' aimed at telling children more about cancer.
RipRap
This website is for young people who have a parent with cancer, with information and tips to help understand and deal with what is going on in your family.
CLIC Sargent
The CLIC Sargent website has information for parents about talking to children about their cancer, and a range of other supportive materials. For more information, click here to go to the children's cancer section of this website.
Book - The Secret C: straight talking about cancer (ISBN 0953912302) by Winston’s Wish
This book is written by a psychologist. It aims to help children and adults to talk more openly about issues and feelings. The book is most suitable for the 7-10 age group, and is best read by children and adults together. This book is available to borrow from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care has a information booklet on talking to children about breast cancer, covering issues about how to discuss cancer and how they may react. This booklet is available free of charge from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
Book - Mummy's Lump by Breast Cancer Care
This book has been produced by Breast Cancer Care. It aims to help explain to young children about early breast cancer and its treatment. It is designed to be read by children and adults together. This book is available to borrow from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
