BEING of strong mind and body can make one’s battle with cancer, a little less strenuous. This was one of the messages shared by physiotherapist and health coach Nerima Paruk who addressed the cancer warriors of the Al Ansaar Cancer Support Group on Saturday, April 12.

The women, who meet on the second Saturday of every month, were treated to an interactive session where they got to share their experiences with cancer as well as treatment and have their questions answered by Paruk. Among the issues that were raised by the women was the side-effects of the cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy and radiation, with some reporting getting tingling sensations and sensitive nerves. Paruk said everyone’s journey is different and that everybody responds differently to treatment.

“The mind has a huge role to play in fighting the disease. It is important to keep in a good bodily state, because if your body is strong, able to do, it makes the task and the battle a little bit easier,” said Paruk. She addressed the women on their concerns surrounding peripheral neuropathy, a condition where the peripheral nerves at your fingertips and toes are damaged during chemo and radiation therapy. This damage can lead to a variety of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness, typically in the hands and feet.

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“When this happens you need to work on circulation and movement, on cold days keep the area warm. If it’s circulation related, your fingers and toes might become blue, which is not unusual with chemo or radiation therapy. The other can be hypersensitivity, when you get pins and needles,” said Paruk. She encouraged the women to massage the affected area, thereby increasing blood circulation. “Every tissue in our body needs oxygen and that is what we are trying to stimulate when we massage the area,” added Paruk.

In light of their battle with cancer and the side-effects of treatment that the warriors may experience, the women were reassured that they were allowed to put themselves first for the sake of their mental health. “Sometime we need a buddy to hold us accountable because as women we struggle to hold ourselves accountable. We always put others first, but there is nothing wrong in being a little bit selfish and say I need to put myself first,” said Paruk.

The Al Ansaar Cancer Support Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, from 09:30 to 11:30, at 189 West Road in Overport. For more information or to join the group, contact Rubina Paruk on 082 786 8815 or 031 208 1601 ext 113.

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