Cancer is not just a lump that is taken away and forgotten
By Wong Mei Lee (19 Mar 2006)

As a health writer for over a decade, I believe I have seen them all; the patients in the throes of treatment, the grieving bemused care givers; not to mention as well, the commitment and, sometimes frustrations of the attending medical /healthcare practitioners.

We would be living in denial, if we do not acknowledge that cancer is likely to affect many more people here and elsewhere for many more years ahead.

In terms of cancer management, I believe Malaysia does not lag behind the practice of the ‘most developed of nations’. During the past ten years, we have done it all: campaigns to create awareness about the Big C, educational workshops for the lay public as well as related professionals, and whenever required on a as need basis, made available the latest of treatment and care for those requiring them.

But one crucial area that needs to be addressed, and hopefully in a more systematic manner - is that of proper counseling and emotional support for all those affected by cancer.

Various related NGOs may have implemented their own network of survivors counseling service. However, such ad hoc service, even at its best, is not exactly reaching all those in need.

Many cancer patients, from urban to rural areas, still go home today bearing the emotional scars and trauma that comes with the disease.

For cancer is not just a lump that is taken away and forgotten.

Instead it remains the unseen enemy lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce with every cough, sniffle, ache and fever.

The fear of recurrence remains upper most in the minds of many survivors and family members, so there is a need to provide continuous emotional Support to these members of our community.

A resource online, an updated mailing list, or a toll-free contact; whatever means of, non-judgmental communication links that we can leave open and accessible to net those strangers in the night who may remain caught in their web of despair otherwise.

Emotional support is even more crucial to someone newly diagnosed with cancer.

Are we providing this service adequately? I believe not.

We really need properly trained cancer care nurses and/or counselors with the right personality as frontliners in cancer management.

For cancer survivors, they can be the facilitators of a support group network, while for the newly diagnosed they can offer a lifeline of reassurance and help to these men and women suddenly faced with the spectre of the Big C in their own lives.

This need is primal for all no matter how strong they may seem in the face of their diagnosis.

I still remember this remark one woman in such a similar situation made quite a while ago: “I have counseled many friends who had cancer. I tell them to be strong, but when it comes to myself - it is like being hit right in the eye. The feelings of fear, of despair, of helplessness. Suddenly I just can’t cope.”

Acceptance of their condition comes with understanding, and much emotional support. And this must be achieved as soon as possible; else they would disappear into their maze of denial, vulnerable to all and sundry; returning much, much later with more severe consequences.

Perhaps, that is one main reason why, although Malaysia may have cancer management strategies that are on par with many similar programmes worldwide, our incidence of late stage cancers or rates of cancer mortality/morbidity have not dropped significantly.

Perhaps it is time to reassess and refocus for a more successful national cancer management system; by understanding that, ultimately, it is really the human factor that matters most.
 

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