Cancer in children

• Needing to take time off from work

• Signing treatment consent forms and making important decisions

• Needing help to care for other children in the family

• Adjusting school schedules and communicating with teachers to ensure a healthy return to the classroom

• Feeling shock, disbelief, fear, guilt, sadness, anxiety and anger

FOR CHILDREN Dealing with the diagnosis

• Infants, toddlers, children and teens will each respond differently to their cancer diagnosis. Be attentive to their reactions and seek advice fromthe cancer care team about finding extra support.

FOR ALL FAMILY MEMBERS Dealing with the diagnosis

• Seek comfort fromother family members and friends

• Ask questions and get answers from the medical team

• Learn about the short and the long–term effects of the recommended treatments

• Learn how other parents in your situation have or are coping

• Take time for yourself and find healthy ways to release your anger and other emotions

• Involve others to get support

• Get help from community sources

The American Cancer Society is a good source for learning about cancer in children. www.cancer.org or 800-227-2345