When two of her relatives were diagnosed with cancer, Tanya Singh got a front-row experience of the process of treatment and realised that it takes a toll not just on the patient but also the entire family, especially the children. Her children had grown up in her maternal home and were nine and six years old when her father was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. By talking to children frankly and helping them express their emotions, we can make it easier for them to face it.”A page from the bookGauri believes that children are often aware of what’s happening, especially if the family is close-knit. “Sometimes, the family does not even inform the patient, leave alone children in the family,” he rues. Sometimes, when the patient is a child, parents request him not to tell the child.

Source: The Hindu June 03, 2019 12:56 UTC