Looking for ways to help kids cope with cancer
November 25th, 2007
Most experts agree it’s wise to tell children what’s going on at an age-appropriate level, with simple, straightforward language. Kids need repeated reassurance that their needs will be met, they can’t catch cancer like a cold, and it’s not their fault. (Even some teenagers blame themselves, assuming their yelling or bad behavior made the patient sick.) The American Cancer Society has detailed advice for talking with children about cancer on its Web site, cancer.org.