Should I tell my child I have cancer?

Should it be one conversation or more?

Advice from a mother with cancer

Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry?

How do I explain side effects like hair loss?

Advice from a mother who lost her hair

How do I tell my child I may die from cancer?

Advice from a mother with months to live

Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids

Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks

Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother

What if my teenager doesn't respond well?

Advice for the surviving parent

Resources to help parents with cancer

A note on trusting your child

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with two MSK clinical social workers, Hadley Maya and Natalie Santos, about how parents who've been diagnosed with cancer can talk to their children. They offer compassionate guidance on being honest with kids to prepare them for changes in family routines or treatment side effects, helping them feel more secure during a difficult time. With practical tips and real-life examples, this conversation offers advice for parents navigating one of the hardest discussions imaginable, while making sure their children feel supported and can continue being kids.

Learn more about MSK’s Talking with Children about Cancer program

Additional resources mentioned in this episode:
Red Door Community
CancerCare
Bright Spot Network

Episode Chapters:
1:14 - Should I tell my child I have cancer?
3:01 - Should it be one conversation or more?
4:16 - Advice from a mother with cancer
5:27 - Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry?
8:30 - How do I explain side effects like hair loss?
10:36 - Advice from a mother who lost her hair
11:43 - How do I tell my child I may die from cancer?
14:24 - Advice from a mother with months to live
16:02 - Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids
21:30 - Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks
22:39 - Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother
24:32 - What if my teenager doesn't respond well?
25:32 - Advice for the surviving parent
26:17 - Resources to help parents with cancer
28:09 - A note on trusting your child

In this episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> speaks with two MSK clinical social workers, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/profile/hadley-maya">Hadley Maya</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/profile/natalie-ishak">Natalie Santos</a>, about how parents who've been diagnosed with cancer can talk to their children. They offer <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/counseling/talking-with-children">compassionate guidance</a> on being honest with kids to prepare them for changes in family routines or treatment side effects, helping them feel more secure during a difficult time. With practical tips and real-life examples, this conversation offers advice for parents navigating one of the hardest discussions imaginable, while making sure their children feel supported and can continue being kids.
Learn more about <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/counseling/talking-with-children">MSK’s Talking with Children about Cancer program</a>
Additional resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://reddoorcommunity.org/">Red Door Community</a> <a href="https://www.cancercare.org/">CancerCare</a> <a href="https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/">Bright Spot Network</a>
Episode Chapters: 1:14 - Should I tell my child I have cancer? 3:01 - Should it be one conversation or more? 4:16 - Advice from a mother with cancer 5:27 - Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry? 8:30 - How do I explain side effects like hair loss? 10:36 - Advice from a mother who lost her hair 11:43 - How do I tell my child I may die from cancer? 14:24 - Advice from a mother with months to live 16:02 - Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids 21:30 - Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks 22:39 - Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother 24:32 - What if my teenager doesn't respond well? 25:32 - Advice for the surviving parent 26:17 - Resources to help parents with cancer 28:09 - A note on trusting your child

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

Cancer Straight Talk

How to Talk to Children about Cancer

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