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KIDS' FAQS
FAQs are Frequently Asked Questions. Here are some common questions kids
have about cancer with the answers. They may help you understand
more about childhood cancer.
- What is cancer?
Cancer is the name of a group of illnesses that affects different parts
of the body. Cancer changes the way cells work in the body by making some cells grow faster than normal. When this happens, cancer cells hurt the body's healthy cells.
- What kinds of cancer do children get?
Even though cancer is a rare disease, leukemia is the most common type of cancer that affects kids. Leukemia changes the cells in the blood.
- How do children get cancer?
No one knows for sure why some cells become cancer cells, but we do know that it is rare for children to have cancer. Children with cancer didn't do anything to get cancer.
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- Can you catch cancer from someone else?
No. You can't catch cancer from someone who has it, like a cold or the flu. You can't get cancer from touching or playing with someone who has it.
- How do children with cancer get better?
Special doctors take good care of children with cancer. Parents, nurses, and many other adults help, too. Children with cancer go to the doctor and sometimes to the hospital to get treatments. The treatments are called chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
- Why do some children with cancer lose their hair?
Some of the medicines used to treat cancer are very strong. These medicines kill cancer cells, which grow quickly. Other cells in the body also grow quickly, like hair cells. The medicines can kill hair cells, too. That is why kids with cancer sometimes lose their hair. When the treatments are over, the hair will grow back.
- Sometimes children with cancer have a tube in their
body. What is that for?
The tube helps children with cancer get the medicine they need
without getting stuck by a needle every time. Doctors place a
tube in the body and put the medicine in the tube. The tube is
sometimes called a central
line. Children who have this tube need to be very careful
to make sure not to bump it or get it wet.
- Do children with cancer have to do anything special to take care of themselves?
Aside from the special treatments planned by the doctors, children with cancer have to be careful not to get too close to people who have a cold or the flu. They especially have to be careful not to catch the chickenpox. Cancer and cancer treatments make it easier to catch these kinds of illnesses, and they can be more serious for children with cancer.
- Can children with cancer be cured?
There are very good treatments for children with cancer. Most children with cancer will go into remission, which
is when doctors can't find any more cancer in the body.
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- What can I do to help my classmate return to school after cancer treatments?
You can help by being nice to your classmate. It can be scary to have cancer, and the treatments might make your classmate feel tired and sick. Offer to help your classmate catch up with schoolwork. Invite him or her to play with you. And ask your friend questions about how he or she feels or how you can help. You can also get some good ideas by checking out My Classmate Has Cancer.
- Why do children with cancer have to miss school?
Kids with cancer will usually have to go to the doctor or hospital
to get their treatments. This can mean missing a lot of school.
Also, some of the treatments can make kids feel very tired or
sick. If this happens, your classmate may need to stay home from
school and rest.
- How will cancer change my classmate?
Sometimes, kids coming back to school after cancer treatment look
different than before they left. They might not be able to play
as much at recess or after school. They might be behind in school
from missing classes. But, in all the important ways, your classmate
with cancer is still the same person he or she was before getting
sick.
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