Netcare Milpark Hospital neurocoach leads support group for fellow breast cancer patients
Breast cancer survivor Jolene van Wyk uses her experience to inspire hope and resilience in others facing the same battle.
When Jolene van Wyk, a 46-year-old mother, walked away from a high-pressure corporate career five years ago, she could not have foreseen the life-altering challenge ahead.
Diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram last year, Van Wyk has since transformed her battle into a platform for support, offering guidance and encouragement to fellow breast cancer patients.
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Her journey through cancer treatment, particularly the loneliness and fear that often accompany it, became the spark for her motivational support sessions at Netcare Milpark Hospital. “You face cancer alone, no matter how much support you have,” Van Wyk said. “I wanted to create a space where patients could openly share their fears, hopes, and dreams.”
Once a corporate employee feeling trapped in the daily grind, Van Wyk made the bold decision to retrain as a neurocoach, completing her certification at the Neurocoach Institute in Pretoria. Her new career initially focused on helping mothers struggling with burnout, but after her cancer diagnosis, she turned her skills towards a more personal mission – helping cancer patients.
neurocoach. A year after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis, she is now also using her expertise to help uplift others on their cancer journey with regular motivational sessions at Netcare Milpark Hospital’s radiation unit.
For the past six months, Van Wyk has been leading monthly support sessions for breast cancer patients in the radiation unit, offering them not only her neurocoaching expertise but also a compassionate ear. “The women come in feeling heavy but leave feeling lighter because they’ve shared their burdens.”
Dr Mia Hugo, a specialist radiation oncologist at Netcare Milpark, underscored the importance of this initiative. “Radiation is the final block of treatment for many breast cancer patients but it’s often emotionally draining. Jolene’s sessions help patients navigate both the practical challenges of treatment and the emotional toll.”
These sessions include motivational talks, sometimes featuring guest speakers who share their cancer journeys, followed by tea and time for attendees to connect. Van Wyk has even expanded her support to carers and loved ones, recognising the emotional strain they endure alongside the patients.
Through her work, she offers a lifeline of hope to many. “Sharing makes the journey easier to bear,” she reflected, and her goal is to extend this support to other Netcare hospitals in the coming months.
For patients facing the challenges of breast cancer, Van Wyk’s sessions provide more than motivation – they offer a safe space to find strength, comfort, and community.
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