To disclose or not to disclose? Communication between mothers with cancer and their young children

Abstract

Objective: Understand how mothers with cancer communicate about the disease with their children. Method: We used qualitative methods. Ten mothers participated in a semi-structured interview about their experiences of disclosing the disease to their young children. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Results: Two main themes emerged, including three sub-themes for the second theme: 1) The cancer was disclosed to the children; 2) The cancer was not disclosed to the children; 2.1 Did not tell her child and has no intention to do so; 2.2 Did not tell her child but plans to do so in the future; and 2.3 Did not tell her child but believes her child knows about the disease. Mothers who succeed in maintain a sincere dialogue with their children show a strong affective closeness with their children. Conclusions: The findings may be useful for understanding and planning communication strategies that favor the mother-child bond and that positively contribute to the treatment of mothers with cancer.