Practical Advice

Some cancer treatments can have an adverse effect on your child's fertility and can complicate pregnancy. More about male and female fertility issues can be found in the More Information links section at the bottom of the page. 

Some cancer patients find that physiotherapy and exercise can make a difference to how they feel. Advice on improving physical problems and exercise can be accessed through a physiotherapist as an in-patient or out-patient. 

Being active is really important whilst going through treatment. Where possible, our physiotherapists encourage young people to remain active in hospital and when they get home. They have lots of resources available signposting families to sports clubs or groups throughout the south west.

All children are seen by a physiotherapist who is experienced in seeing children through the whole of their oncology journey. They are used to seeing children with Hickman lines/Portacaths and will know when being active is appropriate. The physiotherapist will be able to asses a wide range of aspects of physical ability including; joint range, muscle strength, balance, co-ordination, posture, motor development and many more.

Due to the wide range of diagnoses within the field of oncology, each child is effected very differently. As a result physiotherapy input will be different for all children and tailored to their specific needs. The main aim of physiotherapy is to optimise physical and functional ability. Treatment may include; strengthening or stretching exercises, balance and co-ordination activities, hydrotherapy, gait re-education, developmental programs and may include chest physiotherapy.

The physiotherapists will also be able to help provide information to parents so that therapy can be continued at home.

Paediatric physiotherapists try to make sessions as fun and child-centred as possible. This can sometimes mean joint working with play or music therapy. 

Read Keeping active during and after treatment, a parent’s guide to physical activity, sport and exercise for children and young people with cancer  from CCLG.

Child Physiotherapy at our Hospitals:

• Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Paediatric Physiotherapy

• Paediatric Physiotherapy at Royal United Hospitals Bath

• Physiotherapy at Gloucestershire Hospitals

• Physiotherapy at Devon & Exeter Hospitals

• Paediatric Physiotherapy at Plymouth Hospitals

• Children and Young People's Therapy at Somerset NHS Trust

• Physiotherapy at Royal Cornwall Hospitals

• Therapies at Yeovil Hospital

An Occupational Therapy service can offer advice and assistance with the physical and psychological effects of cancer, such as anxiety management, fatigue management, functional activities like cooking and helping your child to manage at home. Advice on self-care e.g. washing and dressing, equipment and adaptations (to help with independence e.g. using a wheelchair) can be accessed through an Occupational Therapist. 

The Occupational Therapy services at our treatment centres offer advice and assistance for babies, children and teenagers who are experiencing challenges with everyday activities as a result of their cancer and treatment. This may include:

1. Self-care e.g. self-feeding, getting dressed, bathing and toileting

2. Play and social interaction

3. Productivity e.g. school skills such as writing, typing, using scissors and drawing

4. Learning and development

5. Accessing the home, community or education environment 

Occupational therapy at our treatment centres

• Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and BHOC

• Royal United Hospitals Bath

• Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital

• Gloucestershire Hospitals

• Plymouth Hospitals

• Royal Cornwall Hospitals

• Somerset Foundation Trust

• Yeovil District Hospital 

Certain types of cancer treatment can cause partial hair loss or thinning or can cause people to lose hair from all over their body. Radiotherapy causes hair loss on the site of treatment whereas chemotherapy drugs have varying effects. If your child decides that they want to wear a wig, you may find it helpful to visit a wig specialist before your cancer treatment to help match your hair colour and style. 

CCLG have created an animation Anna loses her hair, which tells the story of Anna, Jack and Laura who all lose their hair while having treatment for cancer and helps young children to understand what might happen.   

Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer . 

Some patients need advice on what to eat and drink when going through treatment of after treatment. Dieticians can help to treat symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea. 

A dietician can give food safety advice to reduce the risk of food-borne infection, food fortification to increase the nutrient content of the diet, advice on tube feeding (such as a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy) and parenteral nutrition when the gut is too poorly to digest nutrients. Dieticians at our hospitals aim to support children to enjoy their food and progress developmentally, whilst helping take the pressure off when it is too much to ask. They also support the transition back to eating again once this is possible.  

Bristol Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics

Paediatric Dietetics at Royal United Hospitals Bath