How to navigate a parent’s cancer diagnosis – like Princes William and Harry will now have to do

By Lydia Harkin, Nottingham Trent University

King Charles’ cancer diagnosis means the royal family has joined the approximately 3 million families in the UK affected by the disease. His family has already gathered around in support. William, Prince of Wales, has taken over some public duties for his father. And younger son Harry, who lives in California, flew to the UK to visit after the diagnosis was announced.

If you, like William and Harry, are navigating a parent’s diagnosis, you are not alone. Around 400,000 people are diagnosed each year. This can be a frightening and difficult time for families, and can change family dynamics.

Adult children may find themselves offering emotional and practical support for a parent in a way that has not been required before, through managing medications and symptoms, travel to medical appointments, help with meal preparation and financial support.

It can be rewarding to support a loved one and an important way to actively work together, but it can also be stressful. Studies have found that family caregivers are generally more anxious and more likely to hide their emotional distress when compared with their family member with cancer.

Being a supportive family, even in conflict

Family support can act as a “social cure” against the stress of a life-changing illness. The social cure theory proposes that being a part of a social group (or multiple groups) has benefits for our health and wellbeing. Social groups, particularly those with whom we strongly identify, like families, provide support and help us to combat times of stress.

The key psychological component here is that people feel they belong to and identify with their groups. While undergoing cancer treatment, someone may not be able to participate in their usual social groups – through work or hobbies – as much as they used to. These groups may then become incompatible with a person’s new identity as a cancer survivor.

Of course, not all families work together harmoniously, and may be in conflict through divorce, separation or estrangement.

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