Preparing Children for a Parent's Cancer Surgery

• Published in: Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) England), 2014-02, Vol.23, p.65
• Main Authors: Askins, Martha A, Buck, Erin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Children & youth; Emotions; Medical treatment; Oncology; Parents & parenting; Social support
• ISSN: 1057-9249; 1099-1611

When parents are faced with changes to their appearance or bodily functioning due to cancer and its treatment, they often struggle with what to tell their children. In an attempt to protect their children emotionally, parents sometimes delay or avoid the conversation altogether. However, such with holding of information can lead to the unintended negative consequences of confusion, isolation, and anxiety for children. This strategy can also leave parents feeling alone at a time when they would benefit from familial support. Therefore, wider dissemination of information regarding how to communicate with children about a parent's cancer treatment, in a developmentally appropriate manner, and the psychological benefits of open, on-going discussions surrounding treatment is needed. The presentation will review: 1) common body image concerns among adult cancer patients; 2) dilemmas faced by parents when deciding what to communicate to their children about their treatment; and 3) how and when to provide developmentally appropriate information and psychosocial support to children whose parents will undergo surgery as a part of their cancer treatment. Discussion of strategies for communicating about appearance-related and functional changes with three specific age groups will occur: very young children (2-5), school-aged children (6-10), and adolescents (11-17). Anecdotal case examples illustrating the use and effectiveness of these strategies with each age group will be shared. This presentation will enhance oncology healthcare professional awareness about how to advise parents on talking with their children about cancer treatment, as well as how to assist parents in managing their own emotional responses to children's questions and comments. Key considerations in guiding a parent through this communication with their children will be highlighted. Psychosocial adjustment to disfigurement is facilitated by parent-child communication that is open, age-appropriate, and reassuring. The recent state of the literature will be examined, along with research questions that remain unanswered regarding this topic. Attendees will be provided with information that is immediately applicable to clinical use, including therapeutic techniques for managing parental resistance to communicating with children about cancer treatment. The growing number of clinical resources for assisting patients and children in navigating changes due to cancer will be briefly reviewed.