Talking To Kids About Cancer
Download this book (pdf, 1.05 mb)Support services, resources and information
This information includes a list of reliable internet sites, books, library resources and organisations where you can learn more about cancer-related issues.
Organisations that can help
Cancer Council
13 11 20
Cancer Council offers a range of information and services to help people with cancer, their families and friends, including
telephone support groups, Cancer Connect and the online forum www.cancerconnections.com.au.
CanTeen
1800 226 833
The national support organisation for young people aged 12–24 living with cancer, children of people with cancer and
siblings of people with cancer.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is a telephone, web and email counselling service with a fun, interactive website for kids, teens and young adults. It offers confidential counselling for anything worrying a child.
Lifeline
13 11 14
A general telephone counselling service.
youthbeyondblue
1300 22 4636
Supports young people dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. They provide tips on how to talk about depression and get help.
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
1300 664 786
This organisation provides information and support for people caring for children and adolescents who have been impacted by trauma and loss.
Young Carers (Carers Australia)
1800 242 636
This organisation supports young people who are caring for a parent who is physically or mentally ill. They run support
programs and provide information. You can access the Young Carers Association in your state from this site.
Websites for children, age 3-12 years
Bear Essentials
This site has a comprehensive range of activities for children aged 4–12.
Bearing Up Club
An internet club for kids dealing with bereavement. Once a child is registered, they can join an online chat room. The
developers of this site, Mal and Valerie McKissock, are well-known bereavement therapists who have written grief books for children and adults dealing with grief.
Websites for teenagers, age 12-18 years
CanTeen
1800 639 614
This is CanTeen’s website for teenagers and young adults who have cancer in their lives. There are lots of real-life stories, blogs and forums and information. You can also download all the Now What...? books.
Kids Konnected
A US website for children with a parent with cancer or who have lost a parent to cancer.
My Parents Cancer
A Cancer Australia website for young people aged 13–19 whose mum has breast cancer, but lots of the information is relevant for any cancer. It has personal stories of other young people and offers reliable, practical suggestions.
Reachout
A site for young people going through difficult times and experiencing challenges on a wide range of issues. Covers
general mental health and wellbeing.
Rip Rap
A UK site for 12–16 year olds who have a parent with cancer. It includes information about cancer and its treatment, and
individual stories of how cancer has affected other kids.
Books
Picture Books
My Mum’s Got Cancer
Dr Lucy Blunt: Jane Curry Publishing, 2013
Safina and the Hat Tree
Cynthia Hartman: Nomota Pty Ltd, 2004
Sammy’s Mommy Has Cancer
Sherry Kohlenberg: Magination Press, 1993
My Mum Has Breast Cancer: a family’s cancer journey
Lisa Sewards, Harrison Sewards: Self-published, 2007
My Name Is Buddy: a story for children about brain tumours
http://buddybook.landofpuregold.com/readbook.htm
Books for young readers
She’s Got What? A story about cancer
Carrie Lethborg and Angela Kirsner: St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, 1999
When Someone You Love Has Cancer: a guide to help kids cope
(Written from a Christian perspective)
(Monk) Alaric Lewis: Abbey Press, 2005
Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between
Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen: Penguin, 2005
I Miss You: a first look at death
Pat Thomas: Barron’s Educational Series, 2001
Because… Someone I Love Has Cancer
(Activity book for kids aged 5–10): American Cancer Society, 2002
What About Me?
(Comic book for children aged 8–14 who have a parent with cancer): Cancer Council SA, reprinted 2011
Books for teenagers
Allie McGregor’s True Colours
Sue Lawson: Black Dog Books, 2006
Now What...? Dealing with your parent’s cancer
CanTeen, 2010
Now What...? When your parent’s cancer can’t be cured
CanTeen, 2011
Now What...? Living with the death of your parent or brother or sister from cancer
Canteen, 2010
When Your Parent has Cancer: a guide for teens
National Cancer Institute, 2005
Books for adults
Cancer in our Family: helping children cope with a parent’s illness (2nd ed)
Sue P. Heiney, Joan F. Hermann: American Cancer Society, 2013
When a Parent Has Cancer: a guide to caring for your children
Wendy Schlessel Harpham: Perennial Currents, 2004
Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child When a Parent is Sick
Paula K. Rauch, Anna C. Muriel: McGraw-Hill, 2006
DVD for adults
It’s like this
CanTeen, 2011
This DVD is produced for parents to give them an understanding of the experience of living with cancer as a teenager and young adult whether it is the teenager, their sibling or parent who has cancer.
