By Nqoba M Sibenke
We painted the sky pink in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the streets, you would bump into someone with a pink ribbon or donning pink outfits. The shops were filled with promotional articles and awareness posters. Adverts for free screening have been flighted everywhere, physically and online. Yet I still have a burning question, are we giving enough support to breast cancer victims, survivors and their caregivers?
As a mental health advocate my main concern is the mental health aspect of the breast cancer journey. The diagnosis itself is like a death sentence because we have assumed that it means that it is the end of the world, yet it is not so. This is why it is essential to have specialized mental health services mainstreamed together with cancer screening and treatment. I’m considering a model similar to the one which was adopted for HIV and AIDS where patients receive pre-screening and post-screening counselling during cancer screening sessions. This will help patients mentally prepare for the diagnosis before they receive their results. It is also a great way to disseminate accurate information related to the condition being screened for. Consequently, a post-screening counselling session equips the patient with the tools to deal with the results.
A positive mental health status is very important in the case of positive cancer screening. Positive mental health promotes resilience and healing, it increases hope and the drive to fight against the disease. Remember when one is depressed and anxious the immune system is also weakened and becomes difficult for the body to fight against this dreadful disease. As such it is important to maintain a positive outlook despite the condition. A collaboration between health service providers is very essential as we work together to fight breast cancer. Physical and mental health interventions should be administered together. “There’s no health without mental health,” this means if we address the physical concerns and overlook the mental aspect we might find ourselves hitting against a wall.
The importance of social support can never be underscored. Research has shown that women who have high social engagement have a higher quality of life post-breast cancer diagnosis. 1. Social support was also attributed as one of the factors resulting in longer survival post-breast cancer diagnosis. 2. Society stretches from immediate family to the community in general. We play a great role in the recovery of breast cancer patients. Through social interactions, individualized support and engagement with both the patients and the caregivers.
Support groups are invaluable in promoting the mental welfare of cancer patients. In a support group setting, the psychosocial needs of patients are catered for. Usually, a group of caregivers, interested individuals and cancer survivors come together and share knowledge, express emotions and exchange experiences. This process enables psychological healing.3 Support groups can be either physical or virtual. Benefits of support groups include exploration of experiences, expression of emotions, formation of positive relationships and connections, increased awareness of the condition and treatment options. Psychological benefits include improved emotional regulation, development of coping skills, reduced depression and anxiety, and an improved sense of belonging.
Some of the mental health issues that patients suffer from emanate from the treatment process itself. Chemotherapy and its after-effects of hair loss, fatigue and sometimes loss of weight. Counselling and psychotherapy services help the clients to be able to cope with the treatment. Anxiety due to uncertainty also increases the need for mental health services. As we address the disease it is important not to neglect the family. Family should be incorporated into the support groups as well as the counselling sessions. Family therapy is essential to ease the pressure resulting from dealing with an illness. In most cases when there’s a chronic condition in the family there’s also a high likelihood of conflicts. 4 . Family therapy helps to create a conducive environment for both the family and the patients.
As we conclude October awareness on breast cancer I propose a balanced approach to treatment plans. Awareness should be a seasonal event but a part of everyday living. If mental health is prioritized and mainstreamed in the treatment of cancer, chances of survival will be highly increased. A healthy mind will be better positioned to fight against cancer.
Together we can fight breast cancer.
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