Cancer Factsheet (for Schools)
What Educators Should Know
When cells in the body grow in an out-of-control way, it’s called cancer. Cancer and its treatment can cause kids to not feel well and also weakens the body's defenses against other illnesses.
Different types of cancer have different symptoms and treatments. Kids and teens with cancer may need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to prevent or control the spread of the disease.
Symptoms from cancer and its treatment can include:
- tiredness
- headaches and/or blurred vision
- nausea
- pain
- weight loss or gain
- problems walking, with balance, or with coordination
What Are the Challenges for Students with Cancer?
Cancer and cancer treatment can make it more likely for students to struggle with things that affect learning, such as:
- memory, attention span, and concentration
- social skills
- problem solving
- handwriting, spelling, and vocabulary
- reading and math
- planning and organizational skills
Students may also tire easily and need frequent rest periods during the school day. They may need to go to the nurse for medicine or when not feeling well. It’s also common for kids or teens with cancer to have frequent or long absences due to hospital stays, doctor visits, and treatments.
It’s normal for students to feel sad, overwhelmed, or anxious about their illness. Many also feel self-conscious about their appearance, especially if they've lost their hair due to treatment.
What Can Educators Do?
Coping with cancer and cancer treatments can be challenging. Students with cancer need the support of their parents, school counselors, and teachers to help them cope and balance treatments or hospital stays with school, when needed.
In the classroom, students may need accommodations for learning, such as:
- individualized education program (IEP) or 504 education plan
- special adaptive equipment or assistive devices for the classroom, or extra textbooks to keep at home
- being seated toward the front of the class, or nearest to a bathroom
- having extra time to get to classrooms
- having extra help or time for homework and classwork, or changes to how they take tests (like oral instead of written exams)
If your student is out of school, you can help by emailing assignments, tutoring, and giving extra time for projects and tests. When your student is able to come to school, provide a welcoming atmosphere and adjust the schedule as needed.
Since kids going through cancer treatment are more likely to get sick from routine illnesses, help keep germs out of the classroom. Encourage all of your students to wash hands often, cover mouths when coughing or sneezing, and stay home when sick.
