Coping with neuroblastoma

It is extremely distressing to find out that your child has cancer. It can raise many different emotions. It is very normal to feel angry, sad, upset and shocked. It is such a lot to take in. You are likely to worry about whether they will get the right treatment, what will happen, and how you will all cope. 

If you have other children most parents and grandparents worry about them as well. Practical help and support is something people nearly always need, for example, shopping or help with looking after other children in the family.

It is essential that parents and other close family also have support. Talking to friends and other members of the family can help you deal with your feelings.

Quotes from parents - take deep breaths

Organisations that can help

Neuroblastoma UK is run by the parents and close relatives of children with neuroblastoma.

The Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) has a lot of useful information. As well as their website they produce booklets that you might find helpful. They include one for parents and another for brothers and sisters of children with cancer. You can download these from their website.

The Future Fertility Programme is run by a team of doctors, researchers and tissue bank specialists. They are part of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH). 

They aim to help children and young people at risk of infertility due to illness or treatment. 

Solving Kids' Cancer charity provides information and support to families of children affected by neuroblastoma. They're also involved in funding and initiating research to improve treatment for neuroblastoma.

Phone: 0207 284 0800

Family support team:
Email: support@solvingkidscancer.org.uk 

Other enquires:
Email: info@solvingkidscancer.org.uk  

Other sources of help

Some organisations can put you in touch with a cancer support group. We have information about books, leaflets and other resources about cancer treatment.

Cancer Research UK nurses

For support and information, you can call the Cancer Research UK information nurses. They can give advice about who can help you and what kind of support is available. Freephone: 0808 800 4040 - Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
  • Improving Outcomes in Children and Young People with Cancer
    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), August 2005

  • Oxford Textbook of Cancer in Children (7th Edition)
    H N Caron and others
    Oxford University Press, 2020

  • Psychological distress in parents of children treated for cancer: An explorative study
    T Carlsson and others
    PLOS One, 2019. Volume 14, Issue 6, Pages e0218860

  • Parents of Children With Cancer: At-RIsk or Resilient?
    S Phipps and others
    Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2015. Volume 40. Issue 9, Pages 914 to 925

  • Educating Families of Children Newly Diagnosed With Cancer
    M S Haugen and others
    Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 2016. Volume 33, Issue 6, Pages 405 to 413

Last reviewed: 
20 Jul 2022
Next review due: 
20 Jul 2025

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