Situation when a child has cancer, what are the challenges and difficulties parents face? How can parents cope in this ?

No parent is ever prepared to learn that their child has cancer. When they hear for the first time that their child has cancer, the most common reactions are Shock, Disbelief, Denial, Fear, Anxiety, Sadness, Depression, and Anger. All these are normal reactions. The reality is that your child has cancer, and the fact is that there are many things parents can do for their children and help them cope with the situation.

It is proved scientifically that the result of the treatment in most cancers in children is better if the treatment is started early. You might find it painful to believe the fact that your child has cancer. This is a feeling many parents have; however, avoiding delay in starting treatment can reduce the chances of your child recovering fully.  

You may feel guilty thinking something you did in the past might have caused your child’s cancer. Perhaps, by eating some kind of food or using mobile phones. However, it is important to understand that the exact cause of childhood cancer is not known. A lot of the information available online about children’s cancer is not proven scientifically. Therefore, feeling guilty with no real evidence is not going to help you or your child. Try to think about what is the best you can do for your child.

make you feel better. You should try to find such parents and talk to them. 

You might try to compare the outcome of a close relative who died of cancer in your family recently. You might be anxious thinking about the same consequences for your child. But it is important to understand that the outcome for children’s cancer is much better compared to adult cancer.

You might feel dejected and low after you confirm your child has cancer. The mental and physical health of both parents is very important in this situation, so you are able to make the right decisions for your child. You should take care of yourselves by eating the right food, having an adequate sleep cycle and taking rest as and when you require. 

Another way you can cope in the first few weeks after diagnosing your child’s disease is to understand the disease, the treatment, and the potential impact the treatment might have on your child’s day-to-day life.

You might feel furious with people around you. You might think there is a link between their actions in the past and your current situation. Try to talk to them openly and share your feelings. Try to think positively that no one will deliberately do harm to your child. 

Another common scenario you might face in the first few weeks after a cancer diagnosis is that your daily routine may turn upside down. 

 Following are a few practical tips you can try to get a new normal routine

Fear and anxiety are other common reactions you might face. You might worry about your child’s future and the consequences of their treatment. But you should seek the right information about childhood cancer. We can cure most childhood cancers with the treatments available nowadays. There are many parents whose children had cancer in the past and who have been cured. Some of them can share their positive experiences with you and .

• Get a notebook and make a parents-held record where all the treatment details and plans are written. 
• Write all questions you have about your child’s condition so you can ask their doctor and clarify your doubts. 
• Track all your child’s appointments
• Ask the medical team to explain what you need to know to care for your child at home.
• You can also ask for copies of tests and lab results to keep them in the parents-held record.
• Take help from others to ensure that the other needs of the family are taken care of, e.g. looking after the other children. 
• Be thoughtful about giving gifts and rewards to your child to help them cope, as treatments can last several weeks, months, or sometimes years.   
• Creating a new routine while your child is getting treatment will definitely help you cope with the situation well.