How important is psychological support for you who have recovered from breast cancer?

You won a big battle with cancer. You endured many difficult treatments like chemo and radiation, and you overcame that challenge with a strong heart. Everyone congratulates you. But after the treatment is over, even though you think everything is over, don't the loneliness, fear, and anxiety you feel still haunt you? In fact, even though the battle with cancer is over physically, the mental battle may still be beginning. This is not something you feel alone, many people recovering from cancer around the world have this experience.

Why is mental health important after cancer treatment?

Simply put, cancer is a life-changing experience for both the body and the mind. It's common to experience these feelings after treatment:

• Fear of recurrence: The fear of "Will the cancer come back?" can be a constant worry. Even a minor physical ache can cause a great deal of fear.
• Body changes : It can be difficult to come to terms with the changes in your body caused by surgery or treatment. This can lead to a decrease in self-confidence.
• Loneliness and isolation: You may feel a little isolated from society, with feelings like "This is just me" and "Others don't understand me." Even if family and friends are with you, you may feel lonely, as if there is no one else who can truly understand this experience.
• Chronic fatigue: After treatment, you may feel extremely tired, no matter how much sleep you get. This can also affect your mental health.

"Peer Support" and its value

What is "peer support"? It is the support and understanding you receive from someone who has gone through a similar experience and who can understand your pain and challenges. To understand the value of this, let's take a look at a study we conducted around the world.

In the United States, a study was conducted using 168 women of Chinese descent who had recovered from breast cancer. They also did not receive the necessary psychological support due to language and cultural barriers.

In this research, they were divided into two groups :

1. First group: These women were not only given educational information about cancer, but also the opportunity to meet with other women who had recovered from cancer like themselves for 3.5 hours a week for 7 weeks to talk and share experiences (peer mentoring).

2. The second group (Control Group): These people did not participate in the peer support group and were only given educational information.

Then, changes in mental and physical health in both groups were measured several times.

What did this research look for?

Doctors and researchers didn't just ask, "Did it get better?" They measured the well-being of these people using several scientifically proven methods. Here's what they found.

The research was expected to improve the quality of life and reduce stress, depression, and fatigue in those who received peer support. That is, it sought to find out how powerful it is to talk to someone like you, rather than to provide education.

The importance of receiving support that fits our culture

That research was targeted at Chinese women . Why? Because they understood the importance of receiving support that was tailored to their culture and language.

Just think, isn't it the same in Sri Lanka? We don't share our feelings with everyone. We don't want to be a burden to our family and children. Some people don't even want to say, "I had cancer." So in an environment like this, how empowering it is to be able to talk to someone in confidence who can understand our problems, in our own way? That's why culturally appropriate support is so valuable.

How can you help yourself or someone close to you?

In Sri Lanka, perhaps those big collaborative group programs may disappear everywhere. But you don't have to suffer alone.

1. Talk to your doctor: The doctor who treated you knows your situation best. Talk to him about the mental difficulties you are experiencing. He can refer you to a qualified counselor if necessary.

2. Talk to someone you trust: It could be your husband, wife, best friend, sister. It can be a great relief to share your burden with someone else.

3. Find people with similar experiences: Some hospitals or cancer organizations can help you meet people who have had similar experiences. Talking to someone like that can help you feel like you're not alone.

4. Counseling is not a weakness: There is no shame in seeking advice about mental health, or seeing a counselor. It's like going to the doctor when you break your leg. If you're feeling down, there are treatments for that too.

You are a strong person who fought and won against cancer. With that strength, think about your mental well-being as well. Don't hesitate to get the support you need on that journey.

Breast cancer, cancer recovery, mental health, peer support, cancer counseling, stress