Learning how cancer affects families is important if you want to cope with the illness. Having a loved one who is ill can put a lot of strain on the relationships of family members. As a family, you may need to adjust the roles of each member and be more flexible and understanding with your loved one. For instance, if your spouse has cancer, you may be expected to drive your kids to their piano lessons or help your elderly parents with yard work. Cancer can affect relationships in unexpected ways, so learning to adjust the roles of others can help everyone cope with the illness.
Children with cancer require a lot of attention from their families. Cancer is a devastating disease for families, and a child’s diagnosis can have a lasting impact on grandparents and siblings. Often, cancer can feel like the monster under the bed. This can make it difficult to relax and get adequate rest. It is important to be aware of your child’s symptoms and to be supportive. This will ensure that your child receives the best possible care.
Children may be reluctant to discuss their illness with their parents. Even if they want to, discussing cancer can be uncomfortable for everyone. But open communication is essential. In addition to individual counseling, family therapy, and peer support groups may be beneficial for a family dealing with a child with cancer. Group interventions can be especially helpful for children. When you’re dealing with a child who has cancer, you need to find ways to make the situation easier for everyone.
Children also need avenues for connecting with their peers who are in similar situations. When adolescents face a diagnosis, they feel more supported from their peers who are also dealing with cancer. In addition, teenagers often find it difficult to relate to friends who are unaffected by cancer. However, they should be allowed to keep their social circle intact. Taking a close look at the child’s behavior may be helpful for their emotional well-being.
Cancer diagnoses are devastating for a family, and a cancer diagnosis can change a person’s hopes and dreams. A cancer diagnosis may result in the couple having to alter plans for parenthood, retirement, travel, or any other future. This can be a difficult time for the couple and their families, but they can work to change their outlook on life by setting new short-term goals or putting some goals on hold.
The ACTION program includes essays written by high school juniors and seniors, as well as essays about childhood cancer. The essays in the Hope-filled Book highlight the impact of cancer on families. Many of the essays in this book are written by high school students who participated in the summer writing program at the University of Kentucky. The project was launched to raise awareness of cancer in communities. The project is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Foundation.
