AYA Resources

You may worry a lot about children who are still at home and how cancer affects them. You might be tempted to avoid talking about cancer, especially with younger children. But children often sense something is wrong and may imagine the worst if they’re not told the truth. They may be angry if they hear the news or updates from someone else. By talking honestly and helping them share how they feel, you make it easier for them to feel safe and secure. These strategies can help you talk to your child or teen.

• Talking to children about cancer »
  

Good communication with your children helps everyone in the family cope with whatever changes lie ahead. Among the many difficult questions parents face when a family member is diagnosed with cancer is “What do I tell my children?

• Talking to Children When a Loved One Has Cancer »

This booklet gives parents general tips on talking to their children about cancer using words that they will understand. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open, to encourage honest conversation and to provide reassurance whenever possible.

• Talking to Children About Cancer »

Some information you should consider when deciding how to discuss your diagnosis with your children.

• Talking to Your Children About Cancer »

A website designed for teens looking for hope and ways to cope with cancer in their world.

• Cancer Really Sucks »

Nankind is a registered charity that provides free, specialized childcare to families living with cancer.

• Virtual Programs for Families »

Wellspring offers a Children’s and Parents’ Program that brings parents and their children together for networking, the conversation about having cancer in the family, and tools to help cope and express feelings.

• Children’s and Parents’ Program »

Helping families, professionals, volunteers, and communities support grieving children, youth and adults.

• Andrea Warnick Consulting »

New Bridges is a private children’s mental health clinic, located in central Toronto (Yonge and Davisville area). We are dedicated to improving the daily lives and functioning of children and adolescents (ages 6-18).

• New Bridges »

This specialist book offers practical guidance for families and professionals when someone is seriously ill and may die. Building on our experience of working with families both before and after a death, it covers talking with children about what is happening and what will happen and offers an overview of some of the feelings and thoughts people may have.

• As Big as it Gets »

This booklet is aimed at supporting parents or carers with this task, and encourages open communication and questions about cancer within the family. Through pictures, captions and straightforward language, it explains how tumours are formed, what the various treatments are and how these may affect the person with cancer. It stresses the need to keep to family routines and, importantly, to still try and have fun. It is aimed at children aged 7 to 10 years and will work best when an adult is present to expand on the simple messages in the text.

• The Secret C »

This book will help families communicate and evaluate a child's understanding and feelings about family change while teaching basic concepts of illness and healthy coping skills.

• When Someone Has a Very Serious Illness »

This book provides parents and other caregivers with suggestions on how to approach children with the information that their parent is seriously ill. There are many examples of how and what to say to children and teens.

• When a Parent is Sick »