Hi there ... and welcome ...

That's one of the dilemmas of cancer, who and how much to tell loved ones and children ... although everyone is different , l have found gentle honesty is the best way ... and don't forget, you just may get a good result ... most come back negative ... 

And I'm sure, with your son, if by chance it is a positive result ,  you can say gently that you have something that's making you poorly and the Drs are trying to make you better , but maybe miss out the word cancer for him .. that's what l did for my granddaughter who was only 5 when l got diagnosis  ... and because I'd explained it like that she was fine ..

But fingers crossed for a good result ... Chrissie  xx

Hi Rosehugh,

My best advice, for what it is worth, is to tell them everything sooner rather than later.

I've found that people with anxiety or depression often cope with real issues far better than with hypothetical ones. For example, my Mum worried about "what ifs" to the extent that it made her anxious and depressed, but when she actually had a cancer diagnosis, she sort of became a cancer warrior and fought it with tenacity and good humour. 

I suspect that the last thing your son will want is to be treated with kid gloves and pity. He is part of your family, anyone feels untrusted or patronised if people keep bad news from us. I've been in a similar positin and not telling me led to misunderstandings and frustrations all round.

Focus on yourself for once, you need their live and support - they can't give this to you if you keep them in the dark. 

Good luck and best wishes

Dave