When parents are diagnosed with cancer or other fatal diseases they often need help breaking the news to their children and answering their questions, according to research
done at the University of London's Royal Free and University College Medical School. What would make this task less difficult is professional advice and support on how to discuss
the disease, taking into account childhood development
The researchers interviewed 32 women four to six months after they had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Questions focused on whether they had told their children, how they
made that decision and what kind of support they received in discussing the subject with their children.
The children involved were between the ages of 5 and 18.
Among the key findings:
- The most common reason for not discussing the illness was to avoid children's worries and questions, especially about death.
- Mothers wanted to avoid upsetting their children, fearing they wouldn't understand the complexity of the disease. However, researchers note that in these situations
children usually know that something's wrong and often wonder why their parents aren't telling them. - Most women said they received little or no help in preparing to discuss the disease with their children, although they would have welcomed the support.
The study is published in the Aug. 19 issue of the British Medical Journal.
(University of London, http://www.rfc.ucl.ac.uk)