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This section aims to help you talk to children of any age about cancer. Although it addresses parents, it can also be used by partners, grandparents and close family members.
This is Debbie's story of talking to her children when she was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer experiences vary and this video tells just one person's story. To hear others visit our online community|.
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Within this section is advice on how to:
Not all the information here will be relevant to your situation. Many people are now cured of cancer or are living for longer with it. But we’ve also included a section for when the person with cancer is not going to recover.
Talking to your children about cancer is a hard thing to do. Being honest with them and including them in what’s happening is usually the best approach. When the time comes, many parents find the conversation more natural and less traumatic than they expected.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
You might prefer to read this information in a booklet or listen to it on an audio CD. You can order these free from be.Macmillan
Bupa have created a set of four illustrated booklets to help explain cancer to primary school children aged 7 to 11, in a clear and sensitive way.