When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it can have a huge emotional and psychological effect on them. The response can vary from child to child, but most children feel a range of emotions, these feelings may include: shock, confusion, fear, anger, and anxiety. Reactions can also be different based on their developmental level and personality.
Some signs to look out for:
- An increased fear about separation
- Worry about medical procedures
- Increased clinginess to caregivers
- Increase in acting out behaviors such as screaming, throwing tantrums, hitting
- Withdrawal from others
- Loss of usual interests in play activities
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Experiencing nightmares and/or more difficulty sleeping
- Regression to earlier developmental stages such as thumb sucking or bed wetting
- Changes in eating habits
- Communicating with your child is key
- Be open and honest – for example if a procedure may cause pain, be honest but then reassure your child that the pain will be temporary
- Help your child communicate what they are feeling, either verbally or non-verbally. For example, art, music, and writing can be good tools to help your child express what they are feeling
- Remind your child they are not responsible for the illness
- Prepare your child in advance for any upcoming treatments – talk to them about what will occur, how long it will take, any side effects, and what it might feel like after
- Encouraging your child to ask questions is especially important
- Prepare a bag with soothing/comforting items for them to have with them at the hospital – such as a blanket, stuffed animal, books, etc.
- Communicating with others
- Pay attention to siblings needs, behaviors and emotions, and encourage them to talk about their feelings
- School
- When your child does return to school, help prepare for questions that may be asked by their classmates about their cancer
- Schedule a time to meet with the teacher, and other individuals involved so that everyone knows what to expect, and to discuss any accommodations that may be needed
- Play
- Give your child time to play and engage in other age-appropriate activities
- Harry goes to the hospital: a story for children about what it’s like to be in the hospital (2008) By Howard J. Bennett. Age range: 4-8
- The bald headed princess: cancer, chemo, and courage (2010) By: Maribeth R. Ditmars. Age range: 8-13.
- Imagine a rainbow: a child’s guide for soothing pain (2006) By: Brenda S. Milles. Age range: 4-8
- Upside down and backwards: a sibling’s journey through childhood cancer (2014) By: Julie Greves, CCLS, Katy Tenhulzen CCLS, & Fred Wilkinson, LICSW. Age range: 8-13
- What about me? When brothers and sisters get sick (1992) By Allan Peterkin. Age range: 4-8
