Cancer survivors rebuild their lives after treatment

An organisation’s focus on Cancer Survivors’ Month is shifting beyond awareness campaigns and diagnosis by highlighting the realities many cancer survivors continue to face after treatment.

Cancer Survivors’ Month is observed annually in June and celebrates the strength and resilience of those who have overcome or are living with cancer.

It highlights the ongoing physical, emotional, and financial realities of survivorship, and recognises the healthcare providers, families, and friends who support the survivors.

Head of Marketing and Communication at Cansa, Lucy Balona, said survivors often continue living with the effects of cancer long after active treatment has ended.

“For many people, the end of active treatment is not the end of the impact that cancer has had on their lives,” explained Balona.

She said survivors may continue battling fatigue, anxiety, fear of recurrence, body image changes, workplace challenges, financial pressure and the emotional impact of having faced a life-threatening illness.

“Experiencing cancer can affect a survivor’s confidence, identity, family life, work, finances and emotional well-being. Survivors need information, connection and support, not only during treatment, but also as they rebuild their lives afterwards,” added Balona.

As part of the campaign, the organisation is also highlighting the support services available to cancer patients and survivors in Pretoria and surrounding communities.

Balona said the Cansa Tipuana Care Home in Rietfontein provides accommodation for patients who travel long distances for treatment.

“The Cansa Tipuana Care Home provides home-away-from-home accommodation for cancer patients, who live far from treatment centres, while undergoing treatment,” shared Balona.

Situated next to the Cansa Pretoria Care Centre, the facility is close to several treatment centres, including Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Life Eugene Marais Hospital, and Netcare Unitas Hospital.

Balona further noted that the organisation also offers stoma services, counselling and support groups through the Pretoria Care Centre.

Among the support groups available are the Cansa Pretoria support group and the newly launched Pretoria Stoma Support Group.

While the organisation continues to strengthen support structures, survivors themselves are also sharing stories of perseverance and encouragement.

Nono Zwane said surviving cancer taught her to appreciate small victories and focus on the present moment.

“There is hope, don’t lose faith in yourself,” encouraged Zwane.

“Each minute is actually crucial for us. So, we take things minute by minute. Every small win that you have, like if today you’re not having side effects, that’s a victory,” she added.

Zwane is preparing to run her first Comrades Marathon in two weeks and said she now uses marathon running to inspire other cancer patients.

“I want them to know that there really is life after cancer. I’m running marathons to inspire people and show them that anything is possible,” she said.

“The person right now might be feeling that I can’t even walk five metres again? Yes, you will,” she shared.

She said she once struggled with severe exhaustion during treatmet and never imagined she would one day be able to complete long-distance races.

“I didn’t believe I could walk five metres ever because I was always tired from the treatment. Today, I can even run a 50km ultramarathon,” she added.

Zwane also encouraged people battling cancer to take care of their emotional and mental well-being throughout the journey.

“Please don’t lose faith if you’re going through this journey. Just take care of your emotional and mental health and everything will be fine. Also, stay strong,” concluded Zwane.

Charmaine de Witt, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, said her children became her greatest motivation throughout treatment.

“It came as a shock as I had already lost my mother to ovarian cancer,” shared De Witt.

Despite undergoing mastectomy and 12 months of chemotherapy, De Witt said she remained focused on surviving for her family.

“My motto has always been to live for today, not for yesterday and not for tomorrow,” she added.

“You’re a warrior and survivor, so keep fighting the fight,” she encouraged.

Meanwhile, caregiver Marlene Jordaan reflected on the emotional toll of supporting her husband through liver cancer treatment since 2018.

“The most difficult part of my journey was seeing my husband struggle through the difficult days of liver cancer treatment and feeling helpless at times because I could not take his pain away,” explained Jordaan.

Jordaan said the experience taught her patience, compassion and the importance of hope.

“It taught me the true meaning of hope and the importance of believing that healing is possible,” shared Jordaan.

Currently, her husband has been in remission for five months.

“My message to anyone battling cancer is to hold on to hope and never lose it, no matter how difficult the journey may become,” encouraged Jordaan.

“There will be hard days, but there will also be brighter days again. Together we can fight this.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel