Helping Children When a Family Member or Someone They Know Has Cancer

Get information on helping children, from infants to teens, understand and cope when someone they love has cancer.

little girl sits in her father's lap and looks up at him
Helping Children When Someone They Know Has Cancer

When children learn that a family member or someone they know has cancer,  it can be upsetting and confusing for them. Here we will try to help you understand what children might be thinking and feeling, how to talk to them, and share some ideas on how you may be able to help them through this time.
Family holding hands on a morning walk together
Helping Children Manage Uncertainty, Loss, and Grief

When a family member or someone they know has cancer, children might go through periods of uncertainty. When they lose a loved one to cancer, children of all ages go through grief, sadness, and despair, even though the process might look different from that in adults. Learn how to help children cope with changes in their lives and how to cope with the death of a loved one.