The child will ask you some questions, like: How will I feel during treatment?
Will I feel better?
Keep your answers simple and honest, and you can ask for help from: the social worker, psychologist, or nursing staff.
Why did I get cancer?
Some children believe they got cancer because of something they did wrong, like not listening to or bothering their parents one day. You must tell your child that nothing they did can cause cancer and that it’s not their fault.
You can tell them: “I don’t know, and even the doctors don’t know why people get cancer, but you didn’t do anything that led to you getting sick.”
Can I ask?
Sometimes the child is afraid to ask questions, so always reassure them that there’s no problem with asking anything at any time.
Will I feel better?
Being in the hospital or repeatedly visiting the doctor can make the child feel scared. You can tell your child that cancer is a tough disease, and the medical team of doctors, pharmacists, and nurses will give you some medications that have helped many children recover.
What will I feel during treatment?
The child may notice that some kids have lost their hair or seem tired from the treatment. You can tell them: even if there’s another child with the same type of cancer, what happens to one doesn’t necessarily happen to the other, and we will work with the doctor to help you feel as good as possible during treatment. It’s also better for the child to shave their head before treatment starts so they won’t feel upset about losing their hair.
Is cancer contagious?
Children might think that cancer is contagious, so they try to avoid people. Reassure your child that cancer is not an infectious disease; they cannot spread it to anyone or catch it from anyone.
Am I at risk of dying?
This is the hardest question your child will ask, especially if they know someone who died from cancer. You’ll find them asking this question, and you need to stay calm and not be surprised by it, giving an answer filled with hope, like: “Some patients do die from cancer, but many recover from it and go on to live better lives. What you’re going through can be a journey you learn a lot from, and the doctors are working to help you, and the pharmacists are giving you those strong medications to fight cancer and achieve healing.”
For every mom or dad with a sick child, rest assured that global recovery rates have reached 84%, and at 57357 Hospital, we are getting close to achieving these global rates.