Helping your classroom through a cancer diagnosis

When a student in your class has cancer, you don't need to have all the answers — but a little preparation can go a long way. The following tips offer gentle, age-appropriate ways to explain what cancer is, respond to children's questions, and help the classroom remain a safe, kind, and supportive place. Whether you're having the first conversation or checking in weeks later, these ideas can help guide you.

Use simple, clear language appropriate to the children’s ages rather than complex medical terms. For e.g. “Some cells in the body are not working properly, they are growing too quickly and not obeying the rules, and that’s what we call cancer”, or “Cancer is when some of the tiny building blocks in our bodies, called cells,  start to grow in ways they shouldn’t, and that can cause problems. Doctors are working hard to help people with cancer so they can get better.”

Be honest: it is better children hear something clearly rather than discovering partial information or hearing rumours.

Explain that the illness is not contagious, so classmates know they aren’t at risk by just being friends with, or in the same class as the child with  cancer. 

Let the children know that treatments may cause changes in the child like tiredness, hair loss or weight gain or loss and encourage them to ask questions about what they see or notice.

Encourage classmates to support the child with cancer by being inclusive and kind (e.g., “we missed you”, “it’s good you’re here”, “how can we help?”) and by keeping normal interactions rather than avoiding them.

Facilitate ongoing conversation: the first explanation is only a start. Children may have questions later or feel differently as things change for the cancer child and the classmates become more aware of the reality of the disease and its ramifications. 

Focus on what is happening now, rather than what might happen in the future. 

Inform the school staff without sharing personal information. If needed, ask an expert (for e.g. the treating doctor or an informed  member of the childhood cancer foundation involved) help manage questions from the staff or the class.

If you'd like to learn more, the resources below are a great place to start. Each offers thoughtful, expert-backed advice on how to support a student with cancer, talk to their classmates, and help the school community adapt. Reading through them can help you feel more prepared and confident as you navigate this experience with your students.

CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA. 2017. Back to School.

St Judes Children’s Research Hospital. (n.d.). School support during serious illness.

Ruth Hoffman. ACCO. 2017. Educating the child with cancer: A guide for parents and teachers.