Practical information about childhood cancer, treatment, coping, and more for parents and health care providers. Tips for Parents of a Child with CancerĬhildren with Cancer: A Guide for Parents Information to help you choose a hospital and learn more about your child’s treatment plan is included in the Diagnosis section of our childhood cancer guide for parents. Give your teen some of the space and freedom he had before treatment and include him in treatment decisions. Look for ways to help your teen stay connected to friends. They may be scared and angry about how cancer has isolated them from their friends. If your child is a teenager: Teens often focus on how cancer changes their lives-their friendships, their appearance, and their activities. Relationships are important, so help your child to stay in touch with friends and family. Children this age often have many questions, so be ready to answer them or to find the answers together. They are able to cooperate with treatment but want to know what to expect. If your child is 6 to 12 years old: School-aged children understand that medicines and treatment help them get better. You can help to distract your child by reading a story or giving her a stuffed animal to hold. If a procedure will hurt, prepare your child in advance. If your child is 3 to 5 years old: To help your child understand his treatment better, ask the doctor if he can touch the models, machines, or supplies (tubes, bandages, or ports) ahead of time. Not doing so may cause your child to become fearful and anxious. Prepare your child ahead of time if something will hurt. Toddlers also like to start making choices, so let your child choose a sticker or a flavor of medicine when possible. Toddlers like to play, so find safe ways to let your child play. If your child is 1 to 2 years old: Very young children understand things they can see and touch. Try to keep up feeding and bedtime routines as much as possible. Talk or sing to your child, since the sound of your voice is soothing. Bring familiar items from home, such as toys or a blanket. If your child is less than 1 year old: Comfort your baby by holding and gently touching her. The age-related suggestions below may be helpful as you work with the health care team, so your child knows what to expect during treatment, copes well with procedures, and feels supported. Watch this video to hear how parents moved forward after their child was diagnosed with cancer and found a hospital with expertise in treating children with cancer.Īccess an audio described version of the video
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