Cancer organisations
Cancer is a difficult topic to talk about. It is not easy to decide what or when to tell children about a cancer diagnosis.
Read more about talking to children about cancer
If you would like to talk to someone, you can phone the Cancer Research UK nurses.
There are many cancer support groups for people with cancer. They are a way of people coming together to share their experiences. You can offer and receive support from other group members. It may help you to find out from other parents how they have coped and talked to their children.
Ask your doctor or nurse about support groups in your area. Or find out about the different organisations and what they can offer.
List of general cancer organisations
You can share your experiences online by visiting CancerChat, our online forum.
There are booklets with some useful information about talking to children. Examples include:
Talking to children when an adult has cancer
Talking to children about cancer
Visit the Macmillan website to order these booklets
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in America has a booklet for teenagers called 'When your parent has cancer - a guide for teens'. This gives tips and ideas on how to talk about cancer and how it may affect the family.
Visit the NCI website to read 'When your parent has cancer - a guide for teens'
An Australian charity called Canteen has a section for young people who have a parent with cancer. They have a guide for parents of teenagers.
Visit the Canteen website to read 'A guide to Canteen: for parents and carers'
Stories in picture book format can be a useful way to talk about feelings with younger children.
by Simone Baldwin Brown Dog Books, 2022 ISBN:1839525495
A beautifully illustrated picture book to support telling children a parent has cancer. It is aimed at children aged about 4 to 8 years old. It provides a gentle starting point to open up discussions and help children to understand. There is also a version in Welsh. And the author has also written a version called Daddy has a lump.
by V Ironside and F Rodgers Hodder Children's Books, 2011 ISBN: 978-0340903179
This picture book follows the daily life of a young girl who worries about everything. It aims to help children cope with their worries and anxieties.
by Gillian Forrest & Sarah Garson Breast Cancer Now
This is a simple story about a mum diagnosed with breast cancer.
An Activity booklet for families by Livestrong
A story about the new cook at school who has cancer. Lots of discussion points and helpful resources in starting those discussions.
A picture book about a Dad who has leukaemia and is waiting for a stem cell transplant.
by Myeloma UK
A story about a Dad having treatment for myeloma, having a bone marrow transplant and feeling afraid.
Books written for younger children might also help older children as they are more easy to understand.
by J A Stokes Winston's Wish 2nd edition, 2009 ISBN: 978-0955953927
This picture book aims to help parents explain what cancer means. It also describes the different treatments and how these might affect the family. It is aimed at children aged between 7 and 10 years.
by P Ness Walker Books, 2015 ISBN: 978-1406361803
This book is for older children. It is about a 13 year old boy whose mum is dying of cancer and deals with the very difficult emotion of guilt. This book is often read in school during year 7, and sometimes year 6.
Remember to take care when children are using the web. You are responsible for checking that the material your own child accesses is suitable for them. We have looked at these sites before putting this information up. But we have not checked all the material on these sites and things can change over time.
Hope is a UK charity. It supports children and young people when a close family member has a serious illness, such as cancer.
Hope provides a free, safe online service for those aged 5-25. Hope Online includes a peer support community. Young people can share experiences and ways to cope.
Email: help@hopesupportservices.org.uk
Tel: 01989 566317
Visit the Hope Support website
This is an Australian charity for young people affected by cancer. It has a section for young people who have a parent with cancer. It contains lots of information and tips about coping.
This organisation provides resources for children who have a parent with cancer. The resources aim to help children understand about cancer and treatment. They include kits, books and other practical tools.
Visit the Fruitfly Collective website
The Little c club was set up by 2 young mums with secondary cancer. They produce flash cards. These offer activities to help support parents explain their cancer diagnosis.
Visit the Little c Club website
The Ruth Strauss Foundation provides free guidance and support on how to prepare children (under the age of 25) when a parent or caregiver has an incurable cancer. The Family Support Service offers a range of services including:
one to one virtual appointments with parents or caregivers to help them start open conversations with their children about their condition
free resources to use with children to help them understand what is happening
online peer support groups for parents or caregivers
Visit the Ruth Strauss Foundation website
This organisation provides practical and emotional support. It is for children and young people when their parent has cancer treatment.
Visit the Osborne Trust website
This charity supports adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have cancer. Many of these people are parents. The website provides some information about parenting when you have cancer.
Visit the Shine Cancer Support website
This charity provides free online grief support for children and young people who have lost a parent or caregiver. It also offers guidance and resources for the adults supporting bereaved children and young people.
Helpline : 08088 020 021
Last reviewed: 20 Apr 2022
Next review due: 22 Apr 2025
Cancer is a difficult topic to talk about. You might have doubts or concerns which stop you talking to your kids about a cancer diagnosis. It is not easy to decide what or when to tell them.
Coping with cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available. Find out about the emotional, physical and practical effects of cancer and how to manage them.
Children of all ages will probably need a lot of support when someone close to them is dying. It can help to know what they might ask and need.
Whether you are someone with cancer or a carer for someone with cancer, we want you to know that it is common to struggle with your mental health when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. But there are people who can support you during this time and things you can do to help yourself.
This page has been written, reviewed and updated by Cancer Research UK’s Patient Information Web Team. Thanks to the expert professionals and people affected by cancer who have helped to review this information.
Thanks to:
Dr Caroline Leek BSc MSc PhD FRSA Director and Founder of the Fruitfly Collective
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
