Helping children understand cancer
Helping children understand cancer
Explaining cancer to young children is a difficult thing to do. That’s why we’ve worked with cancer specialists and families affected by the condition to create these booklets.
Our booklets are full of advice and illustrations. They explain what cancer is and look at the different types of treatments. They also talk about how to deal with feelings. There are contributions from children who have been in a similar situation, to reassure young readers they’re not alone.
What does it mean?
This booklet explains what cancer is. It also explores some common worries and feelings that children may have, reassuring them that however they react, it’s ok.
Visiting the hospital
Here we explain the different types of treatment. We also introduce the health professionals who help people with cancer get better.
Life at home
This booklet looks at some of the side-effects of different cancer treatments. It also includes several ideas for small ways children can help around the house.
Activity book
This magazine gives children something to do while they’re visiting the hospital. It might also help keep their mind occupied at home.
How to talk to your children about cancer
Neil Lamont gives his advice
Talking to children about a cancer diagnosis is an incredibly difficult thing to do. We understand how much of a challenge this can be.
Here, Bupa psychotherapist Neil Lamont gives expert advice on how to tell your children that a family member has cancer. And what support you can give them afterwards.
hello I'm Neil I'm a psychotherapist here at bppa when someone receives a cancer diagnosis it can suddenly throw up all Challenges sorts of challenges and questions things such as what will the best treatment plan be for me how much time might I need to have off work and financial implications but perhaps one of the most difficult challenges is how do I share this news with my loved ones and particularly should I and how do I share that information with my children now many parents understandably uh think the the the best approach is not to to tell their their child about their their illness and of course the intention Intention there is to protect the child as best as as best as they can but as I'm sure you'll know children are very perceptive and the inevitable anxiety and tension that you may be feeling that will be in the atmosphere in the house and you know without the your son or daughter knowing the reason for that their anxiety will uh increase they may become confused even start to feel responsible for for that beginning to think it's their fault that you're uh looking tense or or Planning worried so if you do decide to uh have this conversation um maybe take some time to plan it have a have a think about what time of the day you're going to going to talk about it where you're going to talk about it who might be there will you just be on your own with your child maybe you would want other people there and even what sort of support you might want to have in place for them afterwards um as they think through what you've what you've shared with them another useful thing to to Talking to the teacher think about would be talking to the school maybe having a conversation with the teacher to let them know that you you have you've had this conversation uh with your child and I think that can be helpful because it's useful for the school to if they're observing some unusual behavior from your son or daughter uh that gives them some context and some some reasoning behind it now Asking questions you may well be asked lots of questions some of those questions you you won't know the answer to um and in that case I would say be honest and say so but that you will find you'll find out for them and seek out the advice of a professional now there may also be Future questions questions about the future uh questions that you simply um at the current moment cannot answer but rather than close down that conversation I think it's a good idea if you can bring the focus to the here and now and talk about the present talk about your treatment how that how that's working what that's about for Paper and crayons younger children it can be a good idea to have some papers and crayons available when you're when you're talking to them young children often find it much easier to express difficult feelings or confused feelings by drawing so I think that can be a good idea to to have those available for older children um often Research they may want to research your illness on the internet I think it's important to proceed with caution there's a lot of false information out there that could really lead to increased anxiety so perhaps even think about agreeing a rule with your child that if they do want to research your illness that you'll do that together and of course only by accessing reliable sources here at B we Bikal have created a series of booklets called I know someone with cancer and these booklets are designed for 7 to 11 year olds written in a language that we believe they can relate to and they are intended to explain cancer and also describe the the treatments that are involved now these booklets also give children advice on dealing with their feelings even some fun things there around games and activities that you as a family can do together um both at home and even during hospital visits and you Summary could give the booklet to your son or daughter to read by themselves the wrong Pace or you could use it as a guide for you sitting down with your with your child and working through together these booklets are available free for you to download uh from our website that's .
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uk I know someone with cancer
Bupa Insurance customers can call our Oncology Support Team
Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-4pm
If you’re not a Bupa customer and you have questions about cancer. Or if you need support or just someone to talk to, call the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 0000 or visit macmillan.org.uk.
Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm.
Spotting the signs of cancer
Cancer can affect anyone and there’s plenty of ways to spot the symptoms early. We’ve put together these guides to help you know what to look out for.
Bowel cancer awareness
Your risk of bowel cancer increases with age. It’s also affected by your family history and lifestyle, such as if you smoke.
Breast cancer awareness
Breast awareness means knowing how your breasts look and feel to help you recognise any changes. This can help catch cancer early.
Prostate cancer awareness
Prostate cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells found in your prostate gland. It’s the most common cancer in men in the UK.
Bupa health trusts are administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No.3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851.
