Supporting the survivors

The HSE-funded Cansurvivor research project has found that many survivors have difficulties and need help to recover and adjust after cancer treatment, writes MICHELLE McDONAGH

BEING DIAGNOSED with a potentially life-threatening illness like cancer can cause a maelstrom of emotions from shock and disbelief to anxiety, fear and sadness.

Almost overnight, the newly diagnosed person finds himself in a strange, frightening new world of tests, treatment and surgery and it is often not until a few years later that the reality of his cancer diagnosis hits.

Dr Helen Greally, director of psychology and support services at Cancer Care West in Galway, explains that there are huge long-term needs in terms of the treatment of psychological distress for people who have finished their hospital treatment.

“A lot of those who we see are not newly diagnosed with cancer or just post-treatment. It’s often three or four years later that the impact of living with a cancer diagnosis hits and even if they are well physically, it can leave a scar. Most of the time, the last place people want to go is back to the hospital which is why we have based our psycho-oncology service in the community,” she says.

Opened in May 2009, Cancer Care West’s support centre, which is located at the Séamus Quirke Road in the Westside area of the city, is unique in Ireland in that it offers a psycho-oncology service in the community rather than attached to a hospital like most.

Greally explains: “Psycho-oncology is the treatment of psychological distress caused by a diagnosis of cancer – the shock, disbelief and stress caused by the idea you might have an illness that can shorten your life span. We use specific techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [CBT] to address issues that come up such as the trauma of the diagnosis, flashbacks of treatment or old unresolved family issues.”

The cancer support centre also provides a psycho-oncology service to Galway University Hospitals, but Greally says that while it is important to have a service in the hospital, the setting is not conducive to doing good psychological work as the patient may be quite sick.

The HSE-funded Cansurvivor research project has found that many survivors have difficulties and need help to recover and adjust after cancer treatment.

The researchers found that over 25 per cent of survivors experienced significant difficulties with physical, emotional and social functioning, including symptoms such as insomnia and fatigue, while 33 per cent experienced high levels of anxiety. They highlight the need for a structured, co-ordinated survivorship service, education of health professionals about survivorship and the provision of high-quality information to survivors.

Cancer Care West provides services to the entire HSE West area from Donegal down to Clare and the not-for-profit charity is keen to make people aware of the range of interventions they provide to cancer patients and survivors and their families, all free of charge.

A wide range of services are offered at the cancer support centre and a five-day per week drop-in service is available, where people can call in without an appointment.

Individual appointments are available for clinical and psychological counselling, information on benefits and entitlements, reflexology and massage and breast care fitting services.

A variety of courses are offered on topics including stress management, living with cancer, mindfulness, expressive art and expressive writing. Mindful of the fact that support groups play a very important role in coping with cancer, the centre facilitates patient, carer and bereavement support groups.

The cancer support centre is staffed on a full-time basis by clinical and counselling psychologists and a team of oncology nurses who offer a full range of information on all aspects of a cancer diagnosis.

“We marry the idea of a cancer support service – of which there are lots of very good ones around the country – and a psycho-oncology service together, in the community which is what makes us unique. We feel strongly that this should be the model for cancer services in Ireland as it makes services very accessible. Our service is open to anybody affected by cancer whether a patient, carer or relative,” Greally says.

She points out that the centre offers only interventions that have been proven to be effective in helping people with cancer and they continually keep abreast of the research in this area. For example, a new study has found that taking or continuing exercise after breast or colon cancer reduces the likelihood of a recurrence.

“We have 15-20 people who come to a yoga class at the centre twice a week. It’s all drop-in but there is a core group that support each other and go for coffee afterwards. They all understand what it’s like to have a cancer diagnosis. People who are further along the road in terms of their treatment and recovery almost become like mentors to those who are newly diagnosed.”

Cancer Care West also operates the Inis Aoibhinn 33-bedded residential facility on the grounds of GUH which provides accommodation to patients receiving radiotherapy who would otherwise have to travel long distances for their daily treatment.

For further information contact Cancer Care West at 091-540040, e-mail info@cancercarewest.ie or visit cancercarewest.ie