While the majority of childhood and adolescent cancer patients survive cancer, some young people die from the life-threatening disease.

If cancer treatment does not kill the cancer cells, remission cannot be achieved and the patient continues to live with the life-threatening disease, knowing that it may eventually be the cause of his or her death. Once all medical innovation has been exhausted and remission has not been achieved, the patient may be told that the cancer is no longer treatable and that they will die from cancer. Young people that have been told such news have said that talking about it honestly with their doctors, family and friends gave them the opportunity to say what was important for them. They felt that knowing the truth was important to enable everyone to make informed decisions about the future, and that discussing the possibility of death made it more possible to concentrate on living.

Enjoying life with a terminal illness often depends greatly on having symptoms under control. Even if the disease has no cure, palliative medicine can be administered to relieve symptoms and treat any emotional or physical distress. Many cancer patients that are terminally ill find that their priorities change and life and death take on new meanings. They often decide to take greater control of their lives and focus their energy on setting short-term, realistic goals and living for the present, rather than focussing on the uncertain future. Their appreciation for life comes from ‘the living part of life that is captured in moments, not years’. (Samuelson, 2000, Voices from the Edge, Longstreet Press: Atlanta)