Childhood Cancer

Having cancer can interrupt the normal developmental process your teenager goes through as they become independent of you. There are some things you can do to help them transition back to school. 

New Zealand children's cancer services have recommended a listing of reliable, independent websites. Talk to your doctor about whether the information is relevant to your child's cancer.

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on cancer and education information, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to KidsHealth's content on cancer and education.

Check some helpful resources for parents and whānau (families) to help support children having treatment for cancer.

Check some helpful resources for teachers to help support children having treatment for cancer.

For many children, returning to their education is an important sign that things are returning to 'normal'. Check some helpful resources for teachers and parents.

Find out some general information about cancer, cancer services in Aotearoa New Zealand and links to some websites with more detailed information.

Tamariki (children) with a weakened immune system are at risk of developing infections during cancer treatment. Learn more about opportunistic infections as well as preventing infections and managing symptoms.

Find out about the support available for you and your whānau (family) if your child has cancer.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Chemotherapy medicines cannot tell the difference between normal cells and cancer cells a

Your child will need a variety of procedures before and during their cancer treatment.

There are 3 main types of treatment for cancer in tamariki (children). They are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Some tamariki may have other types of cancer treatment.

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on cancer and education information, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to KidsHealth's content on cancer and education.

There are some things to consider before a student with cancer returns to their school or early learning centre. Find out how parents, caregivers and school staff can make the child or young person's transition as safe and easy as possible for them. 

You may feel overwhelmed after receiving your child's diagnosis. It might help to have one key contact person at your child's school who you talk to. 

Some of the most common side effects of radiation therapy include hair loss, upset stomach, vomiting, mouth sores, tiredness, fever and skin problems.