We Answer 7 Common Questions Teens Ask About Cancer

Many unfamiliar terms often accompany a cancer diagnosis—“biopsies,” “radiation,” “gastro-intestinal tubes.” Teenagers—and even adults, frankly—may feel overwhelmed trying to make sense of all this new information. Below we answered some common questions that you may have related to your loved one’s diagnosis and treatment. Stress and anxiety are particularly high at the beginning stages of cancer treatment. We hope this information strengthens you and helps decrease the emotional toll.

What is cancer?

Cancer is an illness that can affect anyone. It typically occurs when some cells in the body begin to multiply and stick together, forming a mass of cells known as a tumor. In other cases, cells in the body grow strangely and can obstruct other cells from doing their job properly, causing a person to get sick. 

What are the types of treatment?

Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the most common treatments for cancer. Typically, chemotherapy is a liquid given through a tube (an “IV”) inserted into a vein or a pill that the patient swallows. Radiation is a procedure that involves intense beams of energy targeted directly at the cancer cells. Surgery is an operation where specially trained doctors (surgeons) remove the cancer cells that have formed a tumor. An anesthesiologist uses medicine that ensures your loved one won’t feel pain or remember the operation when it’s over. 

How does each therapy work?

• Chemotherapy works like pesticides in a garden, it will get rid of the weeds (cancer cells), but slows down the growth and sometimes damages the healthy plants (cells) in the process.
• Radiation works by breaking up a cluster (tumor) of cells using high doses of energy.
• In both chemotherapy and radiation, the cells are scrambled and don’t stick together or attack the healthy cells. To the human body these damaged cells look like waste. This is where the lymphatic system—the body’s natural clean-up crew—comes into play, and removes the waste.

Are all side effects of treatment bad? 

By definition, side effects are what happen after treatment and/or disease. They show up when the body reacts to strong medications and treatments. They can sometimes help the patient, like getting rid of the disease; or they can be very unpleasant, like new pain, a lack of energy or nausea. Side effects may last for the duration of treatment, some are temporary, but some may even be permanent. 

Why might my loved one have trouble eating? 

Food gives us energy. A person with cancer needs energy to support their body and to fight the cancer. Sometimes a person can’t eat enough to keep up with the body’s demand for more energy and sometimes due to treatment or side effects a person can’t physically eat by mouth. When either of these happens, the doctor will place either an naso-gastric (NG) tube or a gastric (G) tube. These tubes support a loved one’s ability to get the food and energy they need to support their body, mind and spirit. 

NG Tube

This tube is inserted through the nose down the back of the throat and ends up directly in the stomach. It is temporary, and a loved one may still be able to drink and eat normally with the tube in place as long as there are no swallowing difficulties. 

G Tube

This tube is inserted directly into the stomach. Usually those with cancer who have this type of tube cannot eat food normally. This may happen due to surgery, disease, or side effects. 

Both tubes require liquid food to be delivered through the tube directly into the person’s body. 

What is a tracheostomy or tracheotomy?

A tracheostomy (or “trach”) is a tube inserted into a small hole in the windpipe used when a breathing passage needs to be opened. Some patients may need a trach after head and neck surgery to give them extra breathing support. The tube can be temporary or permanent and is also used to protect the airway from germs and infections. A loved one may need a trach due to the location of their disease, surgery or treatment. 

What is rehabilitation?

Sometimes, after a treatment or disease, a person’s body will need some support to rebuild muscle or remind the body how to do a job it hasn’t done in a while. Rehabilitation can also teach the body new ways to do daily tasks—like swallowing, eating and speaking—that have become difficult for your loved one. 

Speech Pathology

Often due to treatment, surgery or disease, a loved one may experience temporary or permanent changes that make it difficult to speak and/or eat. Speech pathologists are trained professionals who help a person to build or rebuild the muscles that support eating and talking.