We can’t neglect the mental toll of a childhood cancer diagnosis

Allison Musser, LPC

Submitted photo

Talking with children in honest, age-appropriate ways about their illness, developing and maintaining new routines, reaching out to psychologists, social workers and other members of the child’s cancer care team, along with cultivating support from other child cancer patients or survivors, can help foster a deeper sense of community and comfort.”

The stories are gut-wrenching — toddlers undergoing chemotherapy, teens missing out on milestones, families clinging to hope in hospital hallways.

This year in the U.S. roughly 9,550 children under the age of 15 will hear the words, “You have cancer.” It is the leading cause of disease-related death in children, and while the five-year survival rate now stands at 85%, the diagnosis can send a wave of devastation, fear, anxiety and helplessness through not only the child, but also surrounding family, friends and community members.

With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we can’t neglect the mental and emotional toll a cancer diagnosis can bring both in the short and long terms. Pediatric cancer survivors also have a higher risk of chronic health conditions, further emphasizing the need for psychological support. 

What often goes unspoken is this: when a child is diagnosed with cancer, the emotional toll reverberates far beyond the patient. Parents, siblings, and extended family members often carry an invisible burden of mental and emotional stress that can be just as debilitating and far less supported.

For children, having cancer is a traumatic experience. The physical symptoms and treatment can lead to things like depression, anxiety, social isolation, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and academic struggles. Talking with children in honest, age-appropriate ways about their illness, developing and maintaining new routines, reaching out to psychologists, social workers and other members of the child’s cancer care team, along with cultivating support from other child cancer patients or survivors, can help foster a deeper sense of community and comfort. 

Family members of a child with cancer often report similar feelings of anxiety, depression and distress as they work to juggle hope and fear while keeping the rest of the family’s life afloat. Yet, amid the medical appointments and emotional upheaval, the mental health of siblings, parents and caregivers is often overlooked.  

If your family or someone you know is going through the unimaginable, here are a few strategies to help manage the mental load:

Give yourself permission to feel: Anger, fear, sadness, guilt. There are no “wrong” emotions here. Suppressing them doesn't make you stronger. Acknowledging them is the first step toward healing.

Establish a routine, even if it’s small: Consistency can create a sense of control. Try to maintain a few daily rituals — a morning coffee, bedtime story or walk around the block.

Ask for and accept help: Whether it’s meals, childcare or a listening ear, let others support you. You’re not meant to carry this alone.

Seek professional support: A therapist trained in trauma or grief can be a lifeline. Many hospitals now have mental health teams and if not, integrated care providers like evolvedMD can help you access one through your primary care provider.

Check in with siblings and loved ones: Sometimes, the quietest family members are struggling the most. Encourage open conversations and make space for their emotions, too.

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, let’s expand the conversation to include the mental health of everyone affected by childhood cancer, not just the patient. True healing requires whole-family care.

Mental health support shouldn't be an afterthought. It should be seamlessly integrated into the care journey. Embedding therapists and mental health professionals in primary care settings makes support more accessible, less stigmatized and ultimately more effective, especially for families already overwhelmed by complex medical systems.

Editor’s note: Allison Musser, LPC, is clinical manager at Scottsdale-based evolvedMD, which has clinicians across the Valley. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.