When a Parent Has Cancer, Children Need Support Too
- 25 Jul, 2026
- villafanevi
- 0 Comments
A bilingual study aims to better understand children’s experiences and improve support for Latino families.
A cancer diagnosis changes life for the entire family—not just for the person receiving treatment.
For children, it can bring uncertainty, worry, and questions they may not know how to express. Researchers increasingly recognize that experiences during childhood can shape emotional well-being and influence health across the lifespan, making family-centered support an important part of cancer care.
That’s the focus of a new bilingual study led by Janette Levin, LMSW, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University. The study seeks to better understand how children cope when a parent has cancer, with particular interest in ensuring Latino families are represented in psycho-oncology research.
For Janette, the work is deeply personal.
“I was eight years old when my mother was treated for breast cancer, and years later I lost my father to pancreatic cancer. Those experiences shaped my passion for supporting families affected by cancer and deepened my interest in understanding children’s experiences,” she says.
She recalls experiencing stomachaches, headaches, and other physical symptoms during her mother’s treatment—responses she later came to understand were tied to the emotional distress she felt as a child.
Growing up in a bilingual, bicultural household with a Peruvian mother also shaped her commitment to ensuring Latino families are represented in research that can improve culturally responsive cancer care.
“Ultimately, I’m hoping this work will improve our understanding of how children cope with a parent’s cancer and help inform culturally responsive psycho-oncology interventions, early screening for pediatric distress, and family-centered support,” Janette adds.
Who is eligible?
The anonymous survey is open to:
- Adults 18 years and older
- Parents or caregivers of children ages 4–12
- English- or Spanish-speaking participants
The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete.
Participants will receive:
- Entry into a raffle for one of three $50 Amazon Gift Cards
- A free bilingual parent resource guide featuring organizations, children’s books, videos, practical guidance, and resources for talking with children about cancer
➡ Take the survey: Parental Cancer Survey (English) | Parental Cancer Survey (Spanish)
Why This Matters
Our 2026 Friday Forum Series was built around exactly this idea: that social, environmental, and life experiences—including childhood ones—shape health outcomes across a lifetime.
Research like this helps us better understand how families navigate cancer together and how healthcare providers and communities can better support children during one of life’s most difficult experiences.
By the Numbers: Cancer and Families
Behind every cancer diagnosis is a network of family members whose lives are also changed. These statistics provide additional context.
| Measure | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Hispanic/Latino cancer cases (2024) | 195,300 |
| Hispanic/Latino cancer deaths (2024) | 50,400 |
| Cancer patients raising minor children | 14%–24.7% |
| Children or young adults with a parent diagnosed with cancer | 1.6%–8.4% |
Sources: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2024–2026; Inhestern et al., Estimates of Prevalence Rates of Cancer Patients With Children and Well-Being in Affected Children.
Help Us Spread the Word
Even if you don’t qualify for the survey, you can still make a difference. If you know a parent or caregiver who may be eligible, please consider sharing this opportunity. Every response helps researchers better understand family experiences and ensures Latino families are represented in research that can improve care for future generations.
➡ Download the bilingual Parental Cancer Survey flyer (PDF, 1 MB)
Continue the Conversation
This story reflects one of the themes explored in TLCI’s 2026 Friday Forum Series on Social Determinants of Health: how experiences across the life course—including childhood—can influence health and well-being. It’s a theme close to Janette’s own story, which began with her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis.
Join us Friday, October 2, for Forum 3, where leading researchers and clinicians will examine the many factors that shape breast cancer outcomes for Latina women—from biology and environmental exposures to access to care and community support.
