Cancer is a severe illness that can start anywhere in the body. In my book, "Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer," the protagonist discovers her grandmother has cancer but has no idea what the disease is until later.
Part of the reason why I wrote this book is to explain this disease to children. One such reason why children should learn about this disease is that they need to understand the importance of health and how the body works.
Cancer, unfortunately, can happen anywhere in the body. This disease occurs when specific body cells grow abnormally, spreading to other parts of the body and creating tumors. Tumors are either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). When a person's tumor is malignant, they require immediate care, or else it'll spread to other parts of the body. This can be deadly, rendering the body weak and eventually unable to generate healthier cells.
While the topic is serious, we mustn't underestimate children's ability to understand. In fact, teaching them about the illness itself can be beneficial in the long run. When equipped with general knowledge at an early age, it allows them to establish healthy habits as soon as possible. It also boosts their self-esteem, giving them the impression that adults trust their ability to understand health issues.
Nevertheless, there is an art on how to relay such information to children. For one thing, we can't be too technical with our terms—after all, they are still children. Second, we have to be careful to avoid fear-mongering to avoid creating panic and anxiety. Lastly, we try to keep things as general as possible. This is to avoid complicating the situation and reduce the chances of children asking questions to which we don't have the answers yet.
If you need guidance on how to teach your children this disease, consider getting a copy of my book on Amazon.
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