Talking About Cancer Is Not One Size Fits All

By Allie Neenan, PhD, LP | Last updated 12/4/24

Nobody expects "the C word" to be a part of their life, and certainly not their child's life. One of the first questions that many parents have after learning about the diagnosis is, "what am I going to tell my child?"

Honesty is important when children ask questions about their condition. If children do not have truthful information, they may feel more confused or isolated. However, it is not always clear how much detail children should receive. There are competing priorities that make the decision to disclose incredibly fraught. Naming those priorities can help everyone stay on the same page when it comes to these impossible choices.

This handout illustrates a few of the values that may be important to you when choosing what to share with your child about cancer. Your child's medical team can also help you identify your priorities and how to achieve them.

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