When someone you know and care about is diagnosed with breast cancer, it's really important that you and your family start an ongoing discussion about your feelings and theirs so that everyone can really be there for the person who needs help. This isn't always easy, since these discussions involve talking about difficult issues. Let's look at what the experts have found, and see what might help you, whether you're talking with a parent or to a brother or sister or friend about someone's breast cancer. It's important to respect a kid's age when dealing with breast cancer. Children under age 10 are usually interested in what's going on.
Simple explanations are generally all that's needed.
Teens run into a problem here, since it may be happening just when they feel they want to leave the house and demonstrate their independence. Most teens feel compelled to stay home and be with the family member or friend who is afflicted. Guilt is a real concern. Many kids feel that somehow it's their fault. They feel they are to blame, and studies have shown that these feelings can last a long time.