How do you explain cancer to a 7 year old?

Answer 1

Everyone has already said it before me....TRUTH!
Do not lie or surgar coat it, because then they don't know when to really believe you or not. But do use terminology they will understand.

If it's a family member, don't let them be affraid of that person or think they will catch it from them. My youngest daughter was about that age when we told her of her big brother's cancer. She asked many questions, including if he was going to die. So we explained that the doctors did not say he would, but they also said it would be a very long hard fight and unfortunatly not everyone does survive, but he had a good chance of living because we got him the help he needs.

If it's the child who has the cancer, they should know what is happening to THEIR body. When my son was diagnosed at 15, we made sure the doctors told him what is going on, with his body and his treatment. I know he is older than the 7 yr old, but it's the same premise..it's their body and they know something is wrong with it and all of this medicine and tubes and different tests they are going through is scary enough, but when you don't understand it, it's even scarier.

Answer 2

Honestly and in terms they can understand. Explain that the person is sick - it's Ok to call it cancer because many 7-year olds understand what that is. Explain that they will have to take medicine that might make them sicker for awhile. 7-year olds will ask if the person is going to die or not - they have heard a lot in the media - explain the prognosis honestly and as best you can since it obviously varies from cancer to cancer. If you don't know what is going to happen, it's OK to say that. Kids are smart, they are more afraid of what they don't know than the truth itself.

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with melanoma cancer a few months ago and I have a 7 yr old boy. We never used the cancer word around him, we were waiting for all the test results. But he knew the whole time, and it really didn't bother him. You must give 7 yr olds credit to understand the implicatiions, but keep it very basic. I would tell my son, I have to go to the doctors to get sick in order to get better and laugh.

Answer 4

wow now that is deep. That has got to be the hardest thing in the world. Just let them know step by step whats going to happen. Make sure you make them feel like they know whats going on. A 7 year old can understand alot of things. Just let them know that you or whoever it may be is sick. They have a sickness that has to have special medicine. The medicine is put into an IV and then into whoevers arm. This medicine is strong so it will make whoever not feel good and may make them vomit and tired. Theres and example. Don't let them know that it is a deadly disease that could kill some one. Let them help out too. Maybe helping take water to the sick person. Or making some picture to help feel better.

Answer 5

There is a book you can get at almost any book store called

"What Is Cancer Anyway?: Explaining Cancer to Children of All Ages" by Karen L. Carney .

That may help!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 6

Some cells in the body become bad cells and are out of control. They grow and suck energy from the rest of the body.

Medical care helps to kill those bad cells and proper nourishment and nutrition helps to make the good cells stronger so they can clean up the mess left behind.

Answer 7

perhaps clarify to him tht even tho his mom's loss of life he will see her lower back sometime. clarify he has yet another great Mommy who'll nonetheless be there after the others long gone and he's very fortunate for that. maximum different babies dont have a solid mommy whilst there delivery one passes away. perhaps provide him a image and ask his delivery mom to offer him something sentimentally valuble tht he can save to endure in ideas her by utilising. (This factors elective yet perhaps clarify tht shes in a great form of discomfort and discomfort and afterwards she'll be chuffed wholesome and painfree in heaven?) afterwards perhaps he can take flora to the grave as quickly as a month or week and experience tht he's retaining her resting place finding constructive? regardless of your faith could be u can discover books or bible verses explaining what happens after loss of life and perhaps tht could convenience him the advisors a solid concept and the previous persons concept of a help group is likewise great

Answer 8

I pity you if you actually have to do this...but, the best way to do it is with the truth. Don't suger-coat anything and let him/her ask all of the question that they want. I think you will find that a child is more resiliant than you give them credit for and as he/she askes questions, you'll be able to judge exactly what they understand and don't. Good luck.

Answer 9

I think there is no need for any additive frustration for a little child like that ! , her/his parents must make her/his terminal life as honey as they can do ! .
With the best hopes for future innovations in oncology ,for all cancer sufferers .

Answer 10

just tell them the person is very sick,the special medicine they get might not work and tell them the person might go to heaven...worked for my cousin...yes and they are much more understanding than we think they are...
my brothers were just over a year when my great grandfather died..and we had a kitty that died before hand...we told them pepa was sick and might go to heaven to take care of kitty...