Childhood cancer: help your children understand their condition

28 January 2022

Key points

How to talk to my child about their diagnosis?
What should we do as parents to support our children and face their illness together?

At ABC Medical Center we know that one of the keys to the patients’ well-being, in addition to the care and treatments we offer, is the support and understanding of family and friends, even more so when it comes to pediatric patients, because when an infant is diagnosed with cancer, one of the most difficult things is having to explain their health status and what changes it may bring.

Each child is different, some understand faster than others, so their approach on a day-to-day basis will depend on their age and maturity. For this reason, we share with you a small guide that can be very useful at a time as complicated as a childhood cancer diagnosis and that will help your child to be less scared.

Infants from 0 to 2 years	Explain as simple as possible the type of procedures that will be performed in the hospital. Make them feel sheltered and protected inside and outside the hospital. You will help them face their emotions without fear by comforting them after any procedure.
Infants from 2 to 7 years	Use simple terms and explain that all humans are made up of cells but that others grow without control and that those are the ones that affect us. Take away their feelings of guilt associated with their condition. Explain the procedures and tests before you arrive. Try as much as possible to “reward” their effort when receiving treatments and how their health improves at each visit. Your child must understand that, just like you, the doctors and nurses will be by their side accompanying them in their treatment.
Infants from 7 to 12 years	By associating their body limitations with their illness, children are more “open” to talking about their emotions. They can follow a routine and more knowing that treatment can improve their health. It is important to reassure them about cancer-related information they may see on social media or television that may confuse them. Invite them to talk to you and their doctors about their doubts regarding diagnosis.
Infants 12+	Talk openly with your teen about their worries and fears. At this stage it is possible to seek support from specialized and/or specially designed sources for adolescents. By following a care routine and being aware of it, we can address the issue from a broader perspective.

At ABC Medical Center we have a multidisciplinary team made up of pediatric oncologists, pediatric hemato-oncologists, pediatric oncologist surgeons, pediatric neurosurgeons, bone marrow transplant specialists, radiation oncologists, pediatric intensive care physicians, nurses specialized in the care of pediatric patients, and other specialists, with experience in the various types of childhood cancer and dedicated to serving the unique needs of pediatric patients and their families.

At ABC Medical Center’s Department of Pediatric Oncology, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!

How can we help you?

Other notes that may interest you

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3 May 2022

La difusión del contenido del presente material es únicamente para fines informativos y no sustituye, bajo ninguna circunstancia o condición, a una consulta con el médico especialista, por lo que el Centro Médico ABC no se hace responsable por el uso distinto que puedas darle. En caso de requerir mayor información relacionada con el tema, te sugerimos contactes directamente al médico especialista de tu confianza.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Childhood cancer: help your children understand their condition

Other notes that may interest you

Childhood diabetes: second most common disease among children.

Pediatría

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