Trust cancer team helps parents navigate cancer conversations with children

To mark World Cancer Day, staff at the South Eastern Trust’s Macmillan Cancer Unit are highlighting the support available to help families navigate these difficult but vital conversations.

South Eastern Trust, Haematology/Adolescent and Young Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Macmillan Cancer Unit, Lisa Callender explained how the Team provides guidance, support and signposting to parents faced with the prospect of explaining a cancer diagnosis to their children.

“As we mark World Cancer Day, it is important to remember that cancer does not just affect the patient, it also affects their families, including children, young people and grandparents,” she said.

“It is important to remember that children and young people are always listening and always picking up subtle clues. It is not always what you say but how you say it. We would encourage patients to explain what their diagnosis is and how this is going to impact them going forward.

“Children do not tend to live in shades of grey, they see things in black and white. They respond much better when you are honest with them. The best place for a child or young person to get information is from the people they trust and love the most, their parents or carers.”

Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Karen Kelly highlighted the role of the Support Centre within the Unit, which provides a wide range of information and practical help for families.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly challenging on a personal level. It is not a standalone experience, it affects the people closest to you and those you love most,” she said.

“It is not uncommon for us to meet people who are overwhelmed by the thought of having that conversation with their children. Parents are often very aware of how a child might cope with the diagnosis and how it could affect the whole family.

“We can offer parents the opportunity to bring their children into the Unit, show them around and help them understand where Mum and Dad are going to be.

“We talk to parents about the importance of being open with their children.

“We provide literature and booklets which help parents begin those conversations in a way that is appropriate for the child or young person.

"When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, it’s not always what you say, it is how you say it. We encourage the use of plain language and avoiding sugar coating the situation.”

Karen encouraged anyone with concerns about talking to their children about a cancer diagnosis to reach out for support.

“There is so much we can do to help both you and your family," she added.

"We can provide information, practical tools and guide families to professionals with expertise in supporting children and young people through this experience.

“We all know that children can pick up so much and they can become very aware when they feel something is being hidden from them.

"Being clear and honest from the beginning helps children feel included and makes them feel safe, knowing they understand what is happening.”