Cancer in the classroom 3: How to react

Hearing the news that someone has cancer can be frightening. Now, as cancer in children is relatively rare, it is most likely that you will hear that an adult has been diagnosed with cancer. However, every year in Ireland, some children are diagnosed with cancer.

A diagnosis can be particularly shocking if the person affected is a child from your own class group. When you get news like this, it is important to establish who has received the cancer diagnosis and who is providing you with this information.

If you're hearing the news informally, from someone who is not emotionally involved, this may give you a chance to gather your thoughts. However, it may well be that this message is less clear and less reliable.

Being told directly by a family member is easier in some regards, in that you can trust the information being given and listen to their thoughts and wishes.

Regardless of how you hear the news and from whom, it is important to remain calm and listen. It is natural to say how sorry you are to hear this news, and perhaps ask how they themselves are doing.

Try to gather basic relevant information without putting any pressure on the messenger. Perhaps try to establish what the child understands about cancer. So, phrases such as: if you'd like to talk about it, I'm here, or please let me know how I can help, can be used to indicate that you are open to discuss this in the future if needed.

Where possible, try to avoid leading questions and use language that is appropriate to the age and understanding of those present.

In these conversations we remain mindful of our usual Department of Education guidelines.