Support for children whose parent have cancer

Helping Families Talk About Cancer: Layla’s Story

At Kettering General, Breast Care Support Worker Layla has spent nearly seven years supporting people with breast cancer and their families. Her role includes checking on patients’ welfare, signposting helpful resources, and providing holistic support. One area she noticed needed more attention was helping parents talk to their children about a cancer diagnosis.

“A lot of parents didn’t know where to start with these conversations,” Layla explains. “There were only one or two books available for children, and I felt this needed to be addressed.”

Inspired by an initiative at Brighton and Sussex Hospital, where book boxes had been used successfully to support children of parents with cancer, Layla brought the idea to Kettering. With guidance from the team in Brighton and Sussex and funding from Northamptonshire Health Charity, she established a collection of books and resources for families.

The books provide different types of support depending on a child’s needs. Some are directly about cancer, such as B is for Breast Cancer, which explains treatments and what may happen in an accessible way. Others, like The Invisible String or No Matter What, do not mention cancer but help children manage anxiety and maintain emotional connection.

“Sometimes all children need to know is that they are loved and included,” Layla said. “These books start conversations in a gentle, age-appropriate way and reassure children that their bond with their parent remains strong, even through illness.”

For families dealing with metastatic breast cancer, Layla also uses “PIP Kits”, small, age-appropriate resources designed to help children and parents maintain closeness and manage fears or worries. The kits include coping tools and cards addressing common concerns, helping children understand that not all worries are theirs to carry. These kits are provided with support from the Fruitfly Collective, an online forum for parents with cancer, run by Dr Caroline Leak, who offers guidance, information, and practical support.

To ensure the resources meet the different needs of children, Layla worked closely with a consultant in clinical oncology at Brighton and Sussex Hospital. Some children want detailed, scientific explanations about cancer, while others are looking for comfort and reassurance.

Thanks to generous supporters, families at Kettering General now have access to book stations and PIP Kits, helping parents explain cancer to their children in a supportive, age-appropriate way.