Talking to Kids About Cancer
Reported April 14, 2006
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — New research shows parents who are diagnosed with cancer need support to figure out how to talk to their children about it.
The study, from the University of Oxford in England, evaluated at how children are affected by breast cancer in their family. To do this, researchers interviewed 37 mothers with early breast cancer and 31 of their children who were between 6 and 18 years old.
Results show children were much more aware of cancer as a life-threatening illness than their parents realized, even before their mothers were diagnosed. They were familiar with it through information from sources such as soap operas, health campaigns, celebrities and relatives or friends’ parents who had cancer.
Researchers found parents are often unaware how much their children know and sometimes underestimate the emotional impact on them. Also, parents may not realize their kids’ needs for more information about the illness and its treatment.
They say the impact of the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness may be all the parents can handle, and they need help to find out how to talk to their children. They recommend doctors, hospital specialists, and nurses who are familiar with the issue to support them and perhaps even be involved in discussions with the children.
SOURCE: British Medical Journal, published online April 13, 2006