Power of cancer Support groups

While doctors and other medical practitioners do their best to prescribe medicine and procedures to ease the pain for terminally ill patients, most still suffer from loneliness and depression. However, joining support groups could ease these, writes NJOKI CHEGE

The thought that one could die any time soon is depressing and sickening. It becomes even more taxing when patients have to contend with a cocktail of drugs and endless visits to doctors for painful and expensive medical procedures.

Support groups bring together patients suffering from a similar disease to share their experiences, information, to bond and network. Meeting and interacting with people in the same situation eases the burden.

One such group is Faraja Cancer Support Clinic at the Cancer Care Centre on Shivachi Road, Westlands, Nairobi. Formed by Shaira Adamali, the clinic holds several support groups for different types of cancer and is open to any cancer patient for free medical advice.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2003. During the early stages, I went through surgery in the UK, after which I came back to Kenya for chemotherapy for 18 weeks. I was later put on hormonal therapy for five years," says Shaira. But it was the gaps that Shaira saw during her tough time that moved her to start the clinic.

"I realised there were no sources of information for cancer patients. Most of them relied on doctors. I wanted to start a clinic where patients could come and get information about cancer, get free therapy and meet other patients suffering like them," she says.

Shaira took early retirement from her job at Price Water House Coopers to start the clinic. That was a year ago. Today, the clinic has become a hub for cancer patients to seek solace and support. With two full-time staff and about 70 volunteers, the clinic is a favourite among cancer patients.

"Therapists and specialists come in everyday to counsel the patients on nutrition, diet and how to psychologically deal with cancer. Our desire is for cancer survivors to go through cancer knowing they are not alone," says Shaira.

Besides free counseling from volunteer psychologists, the cancer patients are also entitled to free massage sessions, physiotherapy, as well as dance sessions.

Volunteer experts facilitate these activities. The patients also enjoy Reiki-lotus healing sessions, lymphatic drainage, reflexology and art classes.

Patients also benefit from the vast library of books on cancer, nutrition and other related topics.

"Most patients want to understand their condition but they lack sources of information. We hope to fill that gap," adds Shaira.

mind and soul

Support groups are as vital as the drugs and follow-up visits to the doctor. They play a huge role in the wholesome healing of a patient. While drugs and procedures such as physiotherapy cater for the body, support groups generally take care of the mind and soul by ensuring that one is at peace with him/herself and whatever is happening to their body.

According to Philip Odiyo, a local psycho-oncologist (psychologist who deals with cancer patients), there are two types of support groups: Closed and open.

The closed support group exclusively admits only a few members; while the open group admits anyone who cares to join. Philip advises that closed support groups are more effective.

"In a closed support group, the patients feel free to share with each other and confidentiality is guaranteed," says Philip, who is also a volunteer at the Faraja clinic.

A support group guarantees camaraderie of sorts, where patients understand each other and most importantly, identify with each other’s problem.

Philip advises patients to agree on the rules of engagement while forming a support group so to create order and ensure a smooth running of operations.

"First, all the patients should share their experiences, not have just one person sharing. The need for openness cannot be emphasised enough. Second, they should agree on confidentiality so that what is shared in the group should not be leaked," advises Philip.

The support group should also take the initiative to invite different specialists to give talks on contentious issues affecting them such as diet, nutrition, exercise and medication among others.

Specialists are advised to be patient-centred by being sensitive to what they say, ensuring they understand patients’ train of thoughts, consequently triggering more sharing.

Between October 29 and November 7 this year, the Faraja team along with other women from the UK will take part in a women-only five-day team cycling 400km race. The race will start from the slopes of Mt Kenya to the shores of Lake Victoria. This charitable event dubbed ‘Women vs Cancer Cycle Kenya’ hopes to raise funds to help the fight against breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.