Coping with mental-health struggles after a breast cancer diagnosis
CANSA supports women in South Africa who have had a breast cancer diagnosis through facilitating WhatsApp support groups and their tele-counselling line.
MANY South African women are affected by breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in the country. Not only does it take a toll on the body physically, but mentally, too, making it difficult for the patients to cope.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) says there is help and support available.
Also read: #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth: My faith in God helped me defeat cancer – survivor shares her journey
“Getting a cancer diagnosis is tough. It’s not just about the body; it’s about the mind, too. It affects you and your family’s mental health. Although breast cancer doesn’t directly cause depression, it can affect your emotions as you deal with diagnosis and treatments. Some may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with up to 32% of breast cancer patients showing signs of it,” said Gretchen Minnaar, CANSA’s Services Manager: Psychosocial Support.
“Chemotherapy may bring sudden personality changes, often called ‘chemo rage’, which is linked to steroids used in treatment – or chemo brain, which results in a diminished capacity to concentrate and remember things, making it hard to continue with work or everyday life. The loss of a breast or complications from surgery, for example, lymphoedema, can be debilitating and affect your self-image. If your worry becomes too much or you are experiencing mood swings, it’s important to seek emotional support. We offer free psychosocial support,” she added.
Prioritising mental well-being can make the breast cancer journey more manageable. CANSA offers counselling services and support groups to support cancer survivors and caregivers emotionally.
“We operate six online (WhatsApp) support groups nationally, which also include support for Metastatic Breast cancer patients. Patients may benefit from both individual and group therapy sessions. For group sessions to be effective, studies show that women should be with other women at a similar or same stage in treatment. This allows women the opportunity to receive and give emotional support and learn from others’ experiences. Regardless of individual or group psychological interventions, all are aimed to help women adjust to their diagnosis, cope with their treatment and come to terms with the impact cancer has had on their life,” said Minnaar.
There are waiting periods to get appointments with a psychologist in the public system, so CANSA has qualified social workers who can assist with counselling through its tele-counselling line.
To join any of these platforms, visit the CANSA website.
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