The questions and answers presented in this section were developed by talking with many cancer care professionals, parents with cancer, and their children. These questions cover a wide range of topics, including: talking with your children; understanding your children's reactions; dealing with special issues.

The goal of this section is to help you think about how to talk with your children about your cancer and to increase your ability to help your children cope with the normal stresses of parental illness.

One of the main goals of our program is to help you think about which coping strategies may work best for you and your family. The answers provided serve as general explanations. There is no one right answer to any of these questions.

Many of the questions give separate answers for children of different ages. This will help you think about what children of different ages need to understand about each issue.




What if my children blame my smoking or diet, or have concerns about possible environmental causes of my cancer?
General Principles

How will my children feel as time goes on?
General Principles



Will things be able to remain normal at home?
General Principles

What changes can I expect?
General Principles

How do I blend old routines with new demands I may be facing?
General Principles

How involved should my children be in taking care of me at home?
General Principles
Young Children
Teens & Pre-teens



What about professional support?
General Principles

Are my children coping well?
General Principles

Where can I turn for help?
General Principles



Are my feelings normal?
General Principles

What is my illness going to do to my children?
General Principles
Young Children
Teens & Pre-teens

How will my children react when I break the news?
General Principles
Young Children
Pre-teens
Teens

What if my children are not listening or are ignoring me?
General Principles
Young Children
Pre-teens
Teens

What if my children ask how I got cancer?
General Principles
Young Children
Teens & Pre-teens

Is it okay for me to cry in front of my children?
General Principles
Young Children
Pre-teens
Teens

Am I letting my children down by getting sick?
General Principles

Will I or anyone else in the family get cancer?
General Principles

Who is going to take care of me?
Young Children
Teens & Pre-teens