Approximately 80% of Breast Cancer Patients Experience Distress And Difficulties
When Explaining Their Condition To Children 60% of Them Report Lack of Parent-Child Communication Resources Gigi Leung Provides Voice Narration For "The Adventure Jar" To Help Breast Cancer Families Navigate Parent-Child Communication
(Hong Kong, June 26, 2025) Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in Hong Kong. A breast cancer diagnosis poses significant challenges not only for the patient but also for their family, particularly for young children. A recent study conducted by the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) on the "Psychological Stress and Emotional Well-being of Breast Cancer Patients and Their Families in Hong Kong" found that approximately 80% of breast cancer patients with children reported experiencing varying degrees of stress and difficulty when explaining their condition to their children, with greater challenges observed among younger children. Additionally, 60% of respondents indicated a lack of publicly available resources to facilitate communication between cancer patients and their young children.
To address the issue, HKACS—an organisation dedicated to providing comprehensive support for cancer patients and their families—has partnered with biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, which focuses on breast cancer care, to launch the Hong Kong edition of the children picture book “The Adventure Jar”. This book aims to help breast cancer patients explain their condition to young children through storytelling while encouraging families to focus on the positive aspects of life. The collaboration has also enlisted renowned Asian singer and actress Ms. Gigi LEUNG as the Ambassador and voice narrator，, lending her voice to accompany breast cancer families on their treatment journey. The book is suitable for children aged 3 to 8.
Mrs. Patricia CHU YEUNG Pak-yu, BBS, Chairman of HKACS, remarked, "Cancer profoundly impacts not only the patient but the entire family, especially young members. Many parents mistakenly believe that young children are unaware and do not need to be informed about the illness. In reality, children often notice changes in their mother’s physical and emotional state. Without proper explanation, this can lead to increased anxiety." She expressed hope that the Hong Kong edition of “The Adventure Jar”, developed in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, would encourage and assist parents in opening up to their children, fostering mutual understanding.
Ms. Cathy SU, General Manager of Gilead Sciences Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore,stated, "The Adventure Jar” is part of Gilead’s enduring dedication to supporting metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and their families. This thoughtful narrative offers children a gentle yet powerful perspective - that even during life's most challenging transitions, joy and connection can flourish through shared family experiences. We hope this book serves as a valuable resource for MBC-affected families, fostering emotional resilience, encouraging open communication, and helping them treasure every meaningful moment together."
Key Findings from the Study
The study, conducted via an online survey, collected responses from 262 breast cancer patients, approximately 70% of whom have children.
1. Challenges and Stress in Discussing the Illness with Children
2. Children’s Limited Understanding of Their Mother’s Condition
About 80% of respondents believed their children had only partial or little/no understanding of their illness. Specifically, 54% said their children knew "a little," while 25% reported their children were "not very aware" or "completely unaware."
Key reasons children remained unaware included parental difficulties in explaining the diagnosis, the child’s limited comprehension due to their young age, and parents’ wish to shield them from distress.
3. Insufficient Support Leads to Limited Communication
One possible reason for children’s limited understanding is infrequent discussion of the illness.
The survey revealed that 44% of patients rarely or never (fewer than five times a year) discussed their cancer with their children. Similarly, 61% reported that their children seldom or never initiated conversations about the illness.
The lack of communication may be linked to insufficient public resources. Notably, 62% of respondents felt that support services for facilitating communication between cancer patients and young children were "very inadequate" or "completely lacking."
Dr. Anna TAI Yin-ping, Specialist in Clinical Oncology and Member of HKACS’s Cancer Education Subcommittee, noted that studies have shown children of breast cancer patients often experience emotional challenges, including helplessness, depression, guilt, and feelings of injustice1. Clinically, many patients avoid discussing their condition due to uncertainty, leading to misunderstandings, anxiety, and emotional suppression in parent-child communication.
Dr. Tai explained, "Younger children are particularly sensitive to changes in their mother’s condition but lack the ability to comprehend them, which may heighten emotional distress. Providing an age-appropriate explanation of the illness and preparing children for possible disruptions to their routine can help mitigate adverse emotional effects."
She also highlighted advancements in breast cancer treatment, noting that even for aggressive subtypes like late-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)—more common in younger women—innovative therapies now offer hope for extended overall survival1. This allows patients more time with their families and the opportunity to plan for the future.
"The Adventure Jar serves a vital purpose here," Dr. Tai added. “It facilitates open dialogue between patients and their families, particularly children, about the illness and shared goals—empowering them to confront the disease as a united front.”
Renowned Asian singer and actress Ms. Gigi LEUNG, The Adventure Jar’s Ambassador and voice narrator, shared, "I was deeply moved by The Adventure Jar upon my first reading. As a mother, I’ve often contemplated how my child would navigate life should adversity strike. This poignant story reveals how a mother guides her child to discover life’s ‘magic’—those enduring moments of light even in challenging times. It’s my privilege to contribute my voice to this initiative, with the hope of offering solace and strength to Hong Kong families affected by breast cancer."
Hong Kong famous illustrator Messy Desk enriched the book’s parent-child reading guide with two distinctive local-themed illustrations. She said, "Through my artwork, I hope to encourage parents to use The Adventure Jar as a tool to help children express their questions and feelings."
Patient Case Sharing
Nga-wai, a mother of three diagnosed with TNBC in 2023, completed her treatment in December 2024. Initially, she worried about treatment costs and childcare, especially for her then 1-year-old daughter. With family support, she managed to stay positive.
She proactively explained her condition to her children, saying, "Mommy is sick with a serious illness. I’ll be in and out of the hospital and may experience side effects like vomiting and hair loss, but I'm going to fight this - and I will get better!" Her 11-year-old son responded with remarkable maturity, though not without concern, while her younger daughter initially cried upon seeing her mother’s hair loss. Over time, they understood it was part of treatment and even comforted her by playfully touching her bald head.
She remarked, "There’s limited support for breast cancer patients with young children. Having a book like The Adventure Jar to aid communication is truly a blessing."
She extended heartfelt appreciation to HKACS for their exceptional post-mastectomy care, which provided her with two weeks of dedicated recovery time under professional nursing supervision.
Please enjoy the E-book and Voice Narration of “The Adventure Jar” at www.mBC.hk
About Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS)
The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society is the longest-standing non-profit cancer-fighting organisation in Hong Kong. For over 60 years, HKACS has committed to preventing, combating and treating cancer. Offering drug assistance, free in-patient care services, and comprehensive support, HKACS walks hand in hand with patients and caregivers on their journey to battle cancer. For more information, please visit www.hkacs.org.hk。
