HOW TO HELP CHILDREN UNDERSTAND

Susie Garcia is a psychotherapist at Roehampton Priory and specialises in helping adults with life-limiting illnesses.

She says: “The best thing you can do is be as open, honest and caring as possible. As a parent you want to protect your children, and maybe not tell them, but children are very perceptive and they will pick up on changes.”

In terms of navigating the disclosure of your diagnosis, the younger they are, the more basic and factual information they need, although teenagers may need more in-depth explanations.

“You have to sit back a bit and know you can’t fix this, you can’t take your child’s emotions away,” says Susie.

“You have to let them feel how they feel, and ask them what they need from you.”

Some children may not understand what causes cancer, so you need to help them understand that “no one causes cancer and you can’t catch it”.

Coping mechanisms may differ between ages, but a worry box could be a good outlet for younger children. Susie explains: “Throughout the week your child can put worries or concerns into the box, and once a week you can sit down as a family and go through the worries. Even if the child is not able to write, they can draw a picture.”

Teenagers may find a journal a helpful outlet: “It allows them a space to put their worries in without feeling as though they could upset their parent. If they want to share it with you, they can.”