Learn Five Tips for Talking With Kids About Cancer April 3, 2025 When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the news can be difficult to process. On top of that, finding the right words to help a child understand can feel overwhelming. To help navigate this conversation Oncology Social Worker Lisa-Paula da Silva, MSW, LCSW, with Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Radiation Oncology, offers the following tips when talking to a child about cancer. Be honest. Use simple, clear language. Speak slowly and keep sentences short. Pause and allow time for children to process the information. Children may ask detailed questions. It is OK to say you don’t know the answer, but that you will find out. Use age-appropriate language. An 8-year-old will comprehend differently than a 15-year-old. Allow children to ask questions and let them know it is OK if they do not have any. Leave the door open to talk again. Express feelings. Saying something like, “I am sad this is happening” or “This is scary” can be helpful. Expect different reactions. Some children may be quiet, while others may express strong emotions. Provide reassurance. Kids under 10 years of age may worry that they caused the cancer or wonder if they can “catch” cancer. Some children may need the comfort of knowing there will always be someone to care of them. Talking about cancer can be tough. But these tips, a quiet and distraction-free space, and being mindful of your mood and energy can help offer comfort. Visit the Samaritan Cancer Resource Center for additional resources.
