Cancer is a common illness in the United States.
In fact, nearly 1 in 3 Americans will develop cancer at some time in their lives. Most children know, or will know, someone who has or has had cancer. Most children in elementary school have heard about cancer, but what they know is often incorrect. Many children this age have concerns about having or getting cancer, or fears of catching cancer by getting near someone who has cancer. One reason for talking with children about cancer is to help them acquire sound, factual information that will reassure them that their risk of getting cancer as children is low, that they do not need to be afraid of being near people who have cancer, and that most cancers today can be successfully treated.