No, not usually. Some kinds of cancers are seen more often in some families. This might be related to similar factors such as smoking, diet, or environment. A few cancers (5-10%) are related to a gene mutation (change in the cell's growth instructions) that can be passed down in a family. Even if the mutation is passed down to someone in the family, not everyone who inherits a gene mutation will develop cancer. Inherited cancer is rare. Making good health choices can reduce the chances of anyone getting cancer, such as:

• Eat healthy foods to maintain a healthy body weight
• Protect yourself from too much sun
• Don't start smoking - be tobacco free
• Enjoy exercise and hobbies
• Take quiet time to relax
• Have fun! Laughter is healthy too!​
  

Learn about healthy eating and exercise.

Many cancers can be treated so that the person gets well again. Many cancers respond to treatment, and many, many people will survive. Some cancers are cured quickly and easily by treatment, others are not. Some cancers can be greatly slowed down. Sometimes treatment does not work, and people do die. Sometimes, the first round of treatment does not work well enough, and the cancer comes back. The doctors may then need to give different treatment.

In most cases, no one knows why cancer happens to anybody. But we do know that cancer is not something that you can catch from someone else. And you cannot cause cancer in someone else. Cancer is caused by changes inside the cell as a result of a number of factors.

There are many different types of treatment, but chances are your family member will experience some "side effects" including ones that are visible (like hair loss or weight change) and other effects (like feeling tired or cranky). The specific side effects depend on the kind of treatment. Your family member's cancer care team can help with ideas to prevent or reduce side effects. When treatment ends, the side effects usually go away. You may see your family member feeling sad or scared - that is a normal and healthy response to adjusting to the diagnosis. It is ok to feel and show difficult feelings. And, it is ok to get extra support to help with the changes that serious illness can bring to family life. Laughter and hugs can help a lot to release stress and provide comfort.

The chance for cure depends on the type and extent of the cancer when it is first discovered (diagnosed). If one kind of treatment isn't working, the doctors will recommend a different treatment. For many people, treatment can result in long term control of the cancer. There is always hope for new cancer treatments. There are also many ways that the health care team can help your family member to feel better during and after cancer treatment. It can seem like a long time before your family member feels better. Even though it is hard, it helps when everyone in the family has patience .

Relationships will likely change with some of your friends. Some of them might not know what to say to you so they might distance themselves. Others might treat you a little differently than before.

It can be very mixed with friends. Some of them just know what to say, some just bumble, and some just seem mean sometimes. They probably mean well, but just don’t quite know the words to say.

It is your right to decide who to tell your story to. During this time, you’ll need friends who you feel can be there for you in the way you need. Choose wisely for yourself.

Hopefully, you have some good friends that will be open to talking with you about what is going on in your family and will treat you the same as before —good friends make such a difference.

Have you noticed many changes in your family the last while? Some of the relationships in your family might feel different when some members are spending more time taking care of the person who has cancer and less time doing the things they normally do. You and your family members might seem different in some ways, and this can be confusing. It would probably be helpful to talk about this with them, or with another person you can trust.

Getting Through: a guide for middle-school and high-school students affected by cancer in the family

What has school been like for you since your family member was diagnosed with cancer? Some people find that they don’t like being at school because they’re away from their family member. Others find that they enjoy going to school because it is a place that still feels normal and it is a chance to get away from the house. 

It is important to know that your experience with school right now is not right or wrong, it is just your best way of dealing with things. 

One thing that is fairly consistent with teens with a similar situation to yours is that their grades may drop a bit. This might be because you are missing school more often, or you just can’t concentrate or feel like you don’t care. Learning about history or physics or algebra may seem useless to you if there are more important things going on at home. 

Many teens find it helpful to let their teachers and classmates know what is going on at home. Your teachers will probably be very understanding of your situation if you let them know, and will help you make school fit your life better. School counsellors are really great supports when you need someone to talk to as well. 

Perhaps you feel like your life is totally out of balance now that someone in your family has cancer.  Maybe you’re juggling time between the hospital, school and home, or always eating on the run. 

Here are some tips for taking care of yourself during this crazy time:

1. Talk to someone you trust.
2. Spend time with your friends and your pets.
   
3. Eat your fruits and veggies (and other healthy food...with the occasional treat like ice cream!)
4. Get some fresh air. Go for a walk or a run, shoot some hoops, or just spend some time outside in nature.
5. Take it easy on your self right now. It is okay if your grades drop a bit, or if you aren’t able to do everything that you did before cancer came to your family.
6. Breathe deeply. This works especially well if you are feeling anxious. Just focus on taking one long and deep breath at a time (like in yoga, which can be very helpful too!)
7. Play music. Do art. Journal. Sing.
8. Do things that you like to do.
9. Take a nap.
   

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a form of meditation in which you become more aware of the present moment, and your feelings.  Practising mindfulness can be a very good way to relieve stress.

For more information about mindfulness, visit the Mindful website.

Download the CALM app

Sometimes, when might not find the support you need from friends and family, you can get information from, books, websites, and other tools for support. Here are some suggestions.

Online

• Youth in BC chat line
  
• Mindshift App
  
• Managing stress tool box and the video called 'Managing stress while living with cancer'
• Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults - American Cancer Society
• Helping Children and Teens Cope When a Family Member has Cancer pathfinder

Handouts

• The National Cancer Institute's guide for teens when a parent has cancer
  
• Getting Through: A guide for middle school & high school students when cancer affects the family​ (PDF)​