What Should I Tell My Child About Cancer?

By Allie Neenan, PhD, LP | Last updated 3/6/26

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?" It's not an easy decision, and it's one you'll have to make many times throughout the course of treatment. There are a few key things to consider as you find the right choices for your family.

If you haven't been here before, welcome to Cancer Cushion! Every post on this website is written by licensed clinical psychologist, Allie Neenan. Cancer Cushion is my resource library for every age, role, and stage in the childhood cancer journey. While I wish websites like this weren't necessary, I'm glad you're here.

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 share 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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