Chapter 7 - Terminal Cancer and Bereavement

Summary

This chapter is focused on terminal cancer and bereavement. A full chapter is devoted to this topic as families who experience bereavement have very specific needs. Healthcare practitioners need to reflect on their own perceptions and opinions about death as this can have an impact on their ability to support children and families experiencing death from parental cancer. The chapter encourages sharing information with children and families about their options to enable them to make their own decisions and feel empowered at a vulnerable time. Findings are conflictive, some describe negative outcomes associated to maternal cancer such as conflict and stress, while others do not experience emotional or behavioural issues. Healthcare practitioners play a crucial role in supporting children and families as they have a close relationship and families trust them at this time. The chapter includes ways to support children and families at the time of parental death and bereavement for cancer.