Support is important for cancer patients
CanSurvive, which is a member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, has support groups in Daveyton, Kwa-Thema, Tsakani and at the Far East Rand Hospital.
In light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the CanSurvive Support Group highlights the importance of giving support to cancer patients, caregivers and friends of those affected.
CanSurvive director and prostate cancer survivor Ronnie Nkabinde said having a support structure is very important, especially in this journey.
Hence, he saw the need of creating support groups in the East Rand, where patients can share their experiences and concerns and obtain support and useful information from others who have been through similar experiences.
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“A person who has been diagnosed with cancer will find it difficult to cope alone from the time of the diagnosis until they start treatment. Going through that whole journey alone is depressing and lonely,” he said.
“That is why we have support groups so that a person going through the cancer journey can do so with ease and freely, knowing there are other people who have been through the same journey and are living happily. Support groups offer mental stability, rebuild confidence, more information about treatment and side-effects.”
CanSurvive volunteer and breast cancer survivor Masabata Matlala added it is important to keep a positive mindset. Don’t let fear or how you look in the mirror kill you.
“It is important to live a healthy lifestyle, take care of yourself, talk to your family and friends when you feel like you can’t go on anymore,” said Matlala.
“I encourage both women and men to get screened, don’t go through hell when you can get help early.”
CanSurvive, which is a member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, has support groups in Daveyton, Kwa-Thema, Tsakani and at the Far East Rand Hospital.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s health facilities offers cancer screening services, such as:
• Pap smears – a screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer
• Breast examinations and guide on how to do self-breast examinations
• Prostate-Specific Antigen – a finger-prick blood test to help detect prostate abnormalities
• Information on the cancer warning signs for adults and children
For support, join these groups:
• CanSurvive Cancer Support, call or send an SMS to Nkabinde on 078 692 4839
• Wings of Hope, Gwen Janse van Rensburg, on 084 817 6572
• Hospice East Rand also offers individual psychosocial and emotional support to home-based care patients registered with the hospice, contact them on 011 422 1531.
• Or visit the Cansa Survivors – Champions of Hope for cancer Survivors’ Facebook page (for patients or those in remission).
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