Reflecting on Princess Kate Conveying Cancer Conditions to Family and Children

Telling family, especially children, about cancer is not easy. However, it needs to be conveyed openly.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Becermin dari Putri Kate Menyampaikan Kondisi Kanker kepada Keluarga dan Anak

FOTO AP / B.K. BANGASH

Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, interacted with students during their visit to a school outside Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are strong supporters of girls' education, were welcomed by teachers and children.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, delivered quite surprising news on Friday (22/3/2024) local time regarding the cancer condition she was experiencing. In an official announcement delivered via video message, Kate said she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

"This has been a very difficult few months for our entire family," said Kate in the video. She also stated that she had tried to communicate about her condition in the right way to her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

"But, most importantly, we need time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to assure them that I will be okay," he said.

The problem raised by Kate Middleton in the video is not an easy matter. For someone diagnosed with cancer, accepting this condition is no longer easy, especially when they have to convey it to the people closest to them, such as family and children.

Also read: Shocking Announcement from Windsor, Princess Kate Admits She Has Cancer

AP/BBC STUDIO

A screenshot of a video from BBC Studios on Friday (3/22/2024) shows Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, announcing that she is suffering from cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

Quoted from Dailymail, the Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) charitable organizations in England suggest that cancer patients should first take special time for themselves to deal with their emotions before eventually explaining their situation to their family, including their children. However, it is better not to delay too long in conveying the cancer condition to the children.

Delaying to inform and explain to children about their cancer condition can risk them seeking information from other sources. This can become more difficult if the sources obtained are incorrect or inaccurate.

Cancer patients need to first take special time for themselves to deal with their emotions before eventually explaining their situation to their family, including their children.

The first thing to consider is delivering the message in the most comfortable place. In addition, parents can position themselves closest to the child at eye level or sit next to them.

In addition, if you have more than one child, it is advisable to communicate with them at the same time. This is necessary to prevent one child from feeling that their sibling knows more than they do.

Children's curiosity about cancer may vary depending on their age. Younger children may be more easily explained about cancer with simple explanations, such as their mother or father being sick and needing to take medicine.

However, older children may require more information due to their existing knowledge. The questions they may ask will be more detailed, starting from the location of the cancer, the current condition, the possibility of recovery, and the necessary treatments to undergo.

Open

Of the various possibilities, parents should make an effort to convey all information honestly and openly. This is especially important regarding the condition of cancer, treatment, and the possibilities and expectations that may arise.

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To disclose the condition of cancer experienced by children, CRUK also suggests that it be conveyed on weekends. Weekends are considered to provide more time for children to process the information obtained and ask further questions that may be relayed.

The clinical social officer for the Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Hadley Maya, in the article The New York Times, Friday (22/3/2024), said that conveying the condition of cancer in children honestly and Opening up can help children deal with their feelings. With this openness, worry and various questions that may arise in children can be minimized.

“Often, a child imagines something worse than what is happening,” he said.

MARIA SUSY BERINDRA

The Taufan Community, founded by Yeni Dewi Mulyaningsih, often holds events to entertain pediatric cancer patients.

He added that there are at least three things that need to be considered in explaining cancer to children, namely understanding what cancer is, its causes, and the condition of cancer itself. Parents need to explain that cancer is not a contagious disease so that children can still hug and do activities as usual.

In addition, it should also be conveyed that children are not the cause of cancer. Clearly explain that the condition being experienced is cancer, and not using other terms.

Psychology professor from Temple University and senior researcher at Brookings Institution, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, stated that the words conveyed to children and the discussions built around cancer should be more associated with hope. Children need to know that their parents who have cancer can overcome difficult things.

Also read: Cancer Surge among Young People

This is also what was conveyed by Princess Kate in her video. She stated, "As I have told them: I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on things that will help me heal, in mind, body, and soul."