Preparing your child/teen for radiation
Radiation is one of many treatments your child/teen may undergo at UC Davis Cancer Center. Starting a
new treatment can be stressful for the patient as well as for parents and siblings.
Many patients and their siblings have unspoken fears, questions and false ideas about what will happen
during radiation treatment. They may hear doctors, nurses and other staff members using words they
have never heard. If children and teens are not given information in words that they can understand, they
are left to imagine what is going to happen. These thoughts can often be scarier than the truth.
Preparing your child/teen ahead of time for radiation will help:
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Reduce anxiety;
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Develop their trust in you and the hospital staff;
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Give them a sense of control over what is happening;
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Identify parts of the treatment that may be uncomfortable for them; and
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Develop ways to help them cope.
Many different staff members will help your child understand what to expect during radiation treatment.
How to help your child/teen through the simulation and treatments
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Be honest. Explain the steps of the simulation and treatments in simple terms that your child can
understand. The simulation is the set-up portion of radiation, including scans, positioning and
tattooing.
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Give reasons for the simulation and treatments. Let your child/teen know that he or she did not do
or say anything to cause the disease or this treatment.
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Explain to your child/teen what his or her job will be during the simulation and treatments (such as
holding still). Praise him or her for being helpful (such as “You did a good job holding your head
still”).
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Offer choices when you can (such as listening to a favorite CD or book on tape, or just resting
during simulation and treatments).
•
Provide chances for medical play. This can help your child/teen become familiar with the medical
supplies, imaging machine and sequence of events. It can also help him or her gain a sense of
control.
How to talk to your child/teen about radiation
Helping your child/teen understand radiation can help him or her cope better with the simulation and
treatments. Use the word “radiation” openly with your child/teen. It will help him or her become
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familiar with the word and more at ease when asking questions. The ideas below can help you talk with
your child/teen about radiation in words that fit his or her age.
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Verbal Toddler: Use words your child knows such as “boo-boo,” “owie” and “medicine.”
Explain that the “medicine” will go to the “boo-boo” or “owie” while he or she is sleeping (under
anesthesia).
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Preschooler: Explain what will happen in simple terms. “You will be given sleepy medicine
(anesthesia) so that your body is very still. While you are asleep, the radiation will come from the
machine and go to _______________(naming the area of the body where radiation will go).” (Another example: “Inside your tummy is sick, and the radiation needs to go to that place. While you
are asleep, the machine will send the radiation to your tummy.”
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Early School-Age: You can explain radiation as “a type of treatment that you cannot see, feel or
touch. A machine sends invisible rays to the sick parts of your body. Your job is to hold your body
very still so that the radiation only goes to the parts that are sick.”
•
School-Age: Many children at this age have begun learning about cells. You may want to explain
that radiation is, “a type of treatment used to stop the sick cells in your body from growing or
spreading. During your treatment, a machine will send invisible rays to the sick cells in your body.
You will not see or feel the radiation. Your job is to hold your body very still so that the invisible
rays only go to the sick cells in your body.”
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Teens: At this age, your teen may want to sit in on talks with his or her doctor to hear the treatment
explained in depth.
Helpful hints for parents
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One parent is welcome to walk the child back for the simulation. Then, the parent can return to
the waiting area until the simulation is complete. This helps staff focus on the patient and the
simulation.
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One parent is welcome to watch the first treatment session or film session (parents choose which
to observe). The film session involves a staff member taking X-rays while your child is in the
treatment position. Limiting parents to one (1) session helps the staff stay focused on the patient
and the treatment.
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Siblings must remain in the waiting area during the patient’s simulation and treatments. Please
make sure you have someone in the waiting area to watch siblings before you arrive for the
simulation and treatments.
Adapted with permission from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Revised 2/05
UC Davis Cancer Center 12/06
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