Childhood cancer is rare, making up less than one percent of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Since most people don’t have experience with childhood cancer, it can be difficult to know what to do or say when someone you love has a child who has been diagnosed.
(Click here to see the story of one Northeast Ohio family who currently is battling childhood cancer.)
Little Things Mean a Lot
Aron Flagg, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic Children’s, says dealing with cancer can be a very isolating experience for families and that during such times, it’s important not to step back from them.
“Instead of asking, ‘What can I do?’ come with things that you can do,” says Flagg. “Come over with dinner; offer to get the kids on the school bus; offer to mow the lawn.”
He says that sometimes people avoid saying anything because they feel that there is nothing that they can say or do that will help, which can make families who are dealing with cancer feel even more isolated.
It’s important not to discount the impact of the little things — like giving gift cards for gas stations, or extra money to pay for parking at the hospital — and how they can help ease the burden for families who have a child who is fighting cancer.
Offer Compassion, not Advice
Flagg says the most common theme he hears from families who are dealing with childhood cancer is how overwhelming it all can be. He notes that even when people have the best intentions, offering “advice” to these families from what they’ve heard on TV or read online is usually not helpful.
“I think it can be very confusing for families and you’re getting one message from the doctor and from the rest of the care team, but you may have several opinions from friends and family members that may have some direct knowledge of the situation, or who may not have direct knowledge of what’s going on, and I think it makes it so difficult for families to know what is the right thing to do,” Flagg says.
He adds that it’s often helpful for families who are dealing with childhood cancer to talk to other families who have already been through it. Most hospitals, as well as many online support networks, have the resources to connect those families together to provide them with the support they need.
Article courtesy of Cleveland Clinic News Service.
