Booklets and leaflets for parents and carers
The following booklets are aimed specifically at parents and carers. At diagnosis, the most important source of information is likely to be A Parent's Guide to Children's Cancers published jointly with Macmillan Cancer Support. The factsheets for your child's tumour type can be downloaded from this site and copies of the booklet should be available from your hospital team, or contact Cancerbackup direct.
In addition to the booklets here, there are many other CCLG publications available which you may find helpful. If, for example, you have other children to care for, who want to know more about their brother or sister's illness you might wish to obtain a copy of My Brother has Cancer which can be found under the Children, teenagers and young adults section. Booklets for parents and carers about palliative care and bereavement issues can be found in the Bereavement section and in all publications. We advise therefore that you check all publications for anything else of interest.
 Contact magazine
For families of children and young people with cancer Contact is a free, quarterly magazine for families of children and young people with cancer and for anyone with an interest in childhood cancer. It provides reliable up to date information on childhood cancer, treatment and research as well as stories from patients and families relating their own experiences. |
  A Guide to Clinical Trials
For parents and young people This booklet is designed to help parents and young people understand more about clinical trials and answer some of the many questions that people have about entry on to clinical trials. Published June 2008 |
  A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Cancers
For parents and carers An introductory guide to childhood cancer including information on incidence, diagnosis and tests, staff involved in the care of the child, treatment, side effects and a question and answer section. Factsheets on individual tumour types accompany the guide. |
  Biological Studies and Tumour Banking
For parents and young adults Frequently asked questions for parents and young adults on all aspects of tumour banking and biological studies. Published January 2007 |
 Brain and Spinal Tumours in Children and Young People
For parents and carers This comprehensive guide to brain and spinal tumours covers all aspects, from initial diagnosis to long term follow-up. Factsheets on individual tumour types accompany the guide. Published June 2008. |
 Cancer registration for children and young people
For parents and carers A leaflet explaining why information about childhood cancer and leukaemia is collected and why cancer registration is necessary. Published January 2006. Updated April 2009. |
 Children with cancer and pets
For parents and carers Information leaflet for parents and carers of children with cancer who own pets. Provides simple guidelines on reducing the risk of catching an infection from a pet. Published September 2007. Reprinted October 2008. |
 Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group Publications
What is available and how to order There is now a great deal of information for all members of the family affected by childhood cancer. This leaflet provides details of some of the resources available and how to obtain them. |
 Dexamethasone. A self help guide for parents
For parents and carers This leaflet offers help to parents in managing the behaviour of children during maintenance treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) whilst taking Dexamethasone. Published February 2008. |
 End of Treatment What happens Next?
For parents and carers This booklet for parents and carers of children with cancer aims to help answer some of the many questions and concerns that arise when the child finishes treatment for cancer. Published September 2007. |
 Follow Up
For parents and carers This leaflet explains some of the possible follow up tests that may be necessary to check on any long term side effects. Published November 2008 |
 Getting the best from the Internet?
A guide to childhood cancer resources online The internet is a rapidly growing source of information. This leaflet aims to help you find information on cancer care and treatment for young people and children that is reliable and user-friendly. Published September 2007. Revised October 2008. |
 Helping Your Child to Eat
Parents and Carers Most children suffering from cancer will experience some problems associated with eating and drinking at some stage. This booklet aims to give some ideas to help with a poor appetite or other eating problems. Published February 2010 |
 How to help Brothers & Sisters
This leaflet provides ideas on how best to help brothers and sisters of children with cancer to cope with the illness. It is aimed at the many adults who come into contact with brothers and sisters such as aunts and uncles, grandparents and teachers etc. It may be helpful to read this alongside the booklets written specially for brother and sisters - 'My Brother Has Cancer' for younger children and 'When your brother or sister gets cancer' for older children. Published November 2009. |