They may believe they are being punished for something they did or that they somehow caused the cancer. It is important to let young children know that they are not responsible for the illness. At any age, there are ways to discuss cancer, treatment, and if necessary, death. Discuss the illness freely and openly. A simple explanation of age-appropriate information for young children will suffice.
Older children require more information.
In general, the more they know, the less afraid and helpless they will feel. Explain that cancer is not contagious. Many children fear that another family member will become sick. In particular, young girls have concerns about their own bodies. They identify with their mothers and may wonder if their breasts, when developed, will be cancerous.