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TEACHERS' FAQS
If a child in your class has cancer or has a sibling or friend
with cancer, you can find some answers to commonly asked questions
here. This information is written for teachers and does not cover
some of the more basic questions that children might have. Information
written for children about cancer can be found on the Kids'
FAQs page.
- What are the most common types of childhood cancer?
Even though cancer is a rare disease, some types are more common
for children to have than adults. Leukemia, cancer of the bone
marrow, is the most common type of childhood cancer. Other common
types of childhood cancer include brain tumors and lymphoma. Cancer is
not contagious like a cold or the flu. It is no one's fault when
children get cancer.
- What are the treatments for
childhood cancer?
Several doctors work together to form a cancer treatment team
to help children with cancer get better. The team can consist
of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and other doctors and
nurses who specialize in taking care of children with cancer.
The types of cancer treatments are called chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Treatments are done to make cancer
go into remission, when there are no more detectable cancer
cells in the body.
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- What other special health concerns
are there for children with cancer?
Children with cancer are more likely to catch common illnesses,
like colds, the flu, or chickenpox. Because their immune system
might not be working properly, these illnesses can cause health
problems for children with cancer or children having certain cancer
treatments. It is important for children with cancer and everyone
they come in contact with to be in the habit of washing their
hands with soap often.
Some children with cancer might lose their hair or develop skin
sensitivities from treatments. Nausea and fatigue are common side
effects of many cancer treatments. There can also be dietary concerns.
Some foods can taste different, and others can cause an upset
stomach.
Children with cancer might have a special tube in their bodies,
often under the collarbone. The tube—also called a central
line—is used to give medicines without a needle stick every
time. Children with a central
line have to be careful not to bump it or get it wet.
- How can childhood cancer affect
the school experience?
Children with cancer will often miss many days of school due to
tests and treatments. This can mean missing lessons and the social
interactions that take place in a typical school day. Classmates
might have questions that a child with cancer does not know how
to answer. In addition, a child with cancer might not be able
to participate as he or she once did in physical education classes
or active recess games due to the fatigue that often accompanies
cancer and cancer treatments.
Although these issues can be difficult,
it is important for children with cancer to return to
school as soon as they can. This can help reestablish
normalcy and routine. A school reentry program, such as
Crusaders Against Cancer, can make the transition
easier for the child with cancer, his or her classmates,
and teachers. Visit Materials
to learn more about the Crusaders Against Cancer
school reentry program.
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- What kinds of things do I, as a
teacher, need to know about a child with cancer?
Children with cancer may be unable to participate fully in typical
daily activities, including physical education classes and outdoor
play at recess. It is not uncommon for some types of cancer and cancer
treatments to result in temporary learning problems, including
difficulty paying attention in class and retaining new material.
Several prolonged absences from school for tests and treatments
are likely, including time to recover from treatments. Some children
with cancer will have to follow dietary rules as a result of treatments,
and the school may need to have special snacks on hand for the
child. The parents of a child with cancer will usually contact
the school principal and their child's teachers to talk
about any specific educational concerns. Please visit Legal
Information for a description of the accommodations schools
make for children with disabilities.
When a child returns to school after being absent due to cancer
treatments, it is important to create a supportive and understanding
classroom environment to facilitate a successful reentry. This
includes being aware of the questions and concerns classmates
may have in response to the child's condition. Concerns,
Tips and Suggestions,
and Class Activities
have information that can help make this time easier for everyone.
- What are some common questions classmates might ask
about a child with cancer?
Young children will be curious and might not know how to phrase
their questions in a sensitive manner. Because school-age children
have difficulty with abstract concepts and tend to think in concrete
terms, they will most likely want to know how the child got cancer
and if they can catch cancer from the child. If appropriate, you
may suggest that children visit My
Classmate Has Cancer and the Kids'
FAQs for more information. Knowing someone with cancer can
be a learning experience for everyone.
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