Children and teens can have a range of emotions in response to a cancer diagnosis. They can behave in a variety of ways as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. It is important for parents to learn how to manage the behaviors of their children appropriately and the difficult emotions they may be experiencing. Finding ways to help children and teens cope with their emotions could help guide them throughout their cancer journey.

Common Emotional Challenges

These are some emotional challenges children and teens may experience as they transition to school:

  • Lack of exposure to play groups, sports, and other extracurricular activities
  • Loss of contact with friends and peers
  • Variation in maturity levels
  • Desire for independence
  • Need for acceptance
  • Difficulty finding a social group in which to belong
  • Quest for normalcy
  • Feelings of being different
  • Turmoil of emotions including sadness, fear, guilt, anger, worry, anxiety, loss and grief

Source: ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

Resources

Common Behavioral Changes in Children is a resource that explains how parents have learned to handle their child’s range of emotions and behaviors.

Common Behavioral Changes in Parents discusses common behaviors reflected by parents of children and teens who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as how parents can avoid behavior that will be problematic for their child’s recovery and development.

When a child is anxious or refuses to return to school and experiences school avoidance this resource from Yale Medicine can help to address these issues.

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center has resources that address preventing bullying and harassment at school for students who may return with a disability.

Find support services, camps, retreats, and fun activities for children and teens to participate in using the Pediatric Cancer Resource Guide from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

Find organizations and support services for children and teens diagnosed with cancer using the Pediatric Cancer Resource Guide from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

[1] “Common Behavioral Challenges in Children.” Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Accessed December 4, 2023. https://www.alexslemonade.org/childhood-cancer/guides/childhood-leukemia/chapter-19-communication-and-behavior/common-behavioral#:~:text=Anger,friends%2C%20and%20on%20and%20on.

[2] Alma, Morgan. “Childhood Cancer Education Toolkit Parent Section.” ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.askccf.org/_files/ugd/44e813_74672b9bfdf64b0d95f339b5cbf2829e.pdf.

[3] “Avoiding and Refusing to Go to School.” Yale Medicine. Accessed January 4, 2024. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/school-related-problems#:~:text=Some%20children%20have%20severe%20separation,compulsive%20disorder%2C%20along%20with%20depression.