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Frequently asked questions about cancer

	The following are typical questions children ask about cancer. Often there is no right or wrong answer and the tone and language of the answer will change, depending on the age of the child.

Children and young people should be encouraged to ask questions. Please contact us if there are any questions that you would like us to include here.

What is cancer?

The way we answer ‘what is cancer’ depends on the age group but we stress that ‘cancer’, although we use just one word, is not one illness but many. There are actually over 200 different types of cancer, and you can get cancer in any part of the body. We often explain that the human body is made up of tiny building blocks called cells. When someone has cancer, something goes wrong with particular cells. They divide and grow much more quickly than normal, go out of control and crowd healthy cells, forming a growth, called a tumour.

Visit our What is cancer section for more details or you can encourage your pupil to see our animation at www.macmillan.org.uk/whybother/learn/what-is-it.html

What has the person with cancer done wrong? Is it their fault?

No – it is not her fault. No one knows exactly why some people get cancer and others don’t, but both genetics and lifestyle factors are involved. (Try to turn the discussion towards looking at the kinds of positive health and lifestyle choices pupils may be able to make. Point out that many forms of cancer that occur, particularly in young people, such as leukaemia, are not linked to lifestyle
choices.)

Does your hair always fall out?

No. This depends on the treatment. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are both used to destroy cancer cells. These cancer cells divide very quickly, just like our hair cells. So when you receive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, it not only destroys cancer cells but your hair cells as well. But it nearly always grows back, and often thicker and better than before treatment started.

How likely am I to get cancer?

Although more than one in three people willdevelop cancer at some time in their lives,childhood cancer is rare. Over 65% of cancers occur in people over 65. It is also important to remember that many people survive a cancer diagnosis or live with the disease for many years.There are currently over a million people living inthe UK who’ve had a cancer diagnosis.

Do people always die from cancer?

No. Treatments are much more successful now,and many people fully recover. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly increase survival rates.
Sometimes parents, carers and guardians or other teachers may not immediately see the relevance of the subject to children and young people. Here are some questions they may ask:

What if someone in the class is or has been ill with cancer or their family is affected by cancer? Should we talk about it in class?

It depends on the individual. Talking about the illness openly may well prove a relief for them andthe class and they may seek to offer their experiences as valuable insights. If they choose to remain quiet, they may still find the discussion reassuring and comforting. (If a pupil is currently absent due to illness, you can encourage the other pupils to stay in touch with them to keep them upto date on what’s happening at school and with their friends.)

Why should pupils be taught about cancer?

Education is a preparation for life and getting an illness is part of life. Learning about cancer helps you and your pupils to know the facts, which reduces fears. It also helps you and your pupils to think about how to help others when faced with cancer.Questionnaires were sent to 2,500 teachers: '98% teachers believe that teaching about cancer is important', (Macmillan Cancertalk project report March 2001).

Isn’t talking about cancer depressing?

No, it’s doesn’t need to be depressing. In the past,misplaced embarrassment about cancer hasallowed misunderstandings and fears about the illness to grow. Cancer issues now have a highprofile on health and government agendas, andwith one in three people likely to develop someform of cancer in their lifetime, it is important to talk about it. Young people say that they want to know more so that they can do more to avoid getting cancer themselves and support other people who do. 1,114 young people aged 11-25 were asked to rank 10 health and social issues starting withthe one they were most concerned about. They rated cancer second, with 49% saying they were very concerned and 37% quite concerned. (Youth Awareness Monitor by nfp Synergy, October 2005.)