My Mommy's Cancer

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Reviewer: James Metz, MD
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: February 1, 2002

Authors: Cindy Klein Cohen, MS, CCLS and John T. Heiney Publisher: Promise Publications ISBN: 0-9656498-2-2 OncoLink Rating: Amazon.com Disclosure

My Mommy's Cancer is the third book written by Cindy Klein Cohen dealing with children who experience a parent with cancer. Her previous books, Daddy's Promise and My Daddy's Cancer have previously been reviewed on OncoLink. This book is exactly the same as My Daddy's Cancer, except Mommy has cancer. She has based this book on both her professional experience as a child life specialist and personal experience of her husband's cancer and death. The authors state, "this book is intended to help a young child understand the many changes and disruptions that occur in a family when a parent is seriously ill."

My Mommy's Cancer addresses the many questions posed by a child when a family member develops cancer. The story is told from the child's point of view with the father and grandmother answering important questions such as "Did I cause Mommy's Cancer?" "What can I do to help?" "Am I going to get sick like Mommy?" Reading the book to a child may foster important about this difficult subject.

My Mommy's Cancer also contains a workbook with fun activities that will allow a child to express their feelings. It also contains an important guide for parents to help children deal with serious illness and hospitalization. Illustrations are included to keep a young child's attention. My Mommy's Cancer is highly recommended by OncoLink to help families discuss this difficult issue.