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Caregiving and Cancer

Caregivers play an integral role in their cancer patient or loved one’s journey. They are the soldiers fighting behind the scenes for their patients or loved ones.

We salute your commitment and determination to care, regardless of what may be required of you, and we want you to know that we are here for you, because you need support too.

We know that most Caregivers don’t choose this role, but it is one that is suddenly thrown upon their shoulders when a family member, loved one or colleague is diagnosed with cancer and urgently needs support and care. No first-time caregiver knows what to do, as no journey with cancer is the same and there are no rules and regulations to follow, however CANSA is able to offer knowledge, information, support and encouragement whenever required.

At times compassion fatigue sets in where the Caregiver no longer cares for themselves. Known as ‘Caregiver Burnout’, this condition is the culmination of stress, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low self-esteem. It is essential that this is dealt with sooner rather than later.

Top Tips for Caregivers:

  • Find support and talk to others who are in a similar situation. This can help you cope with common feelings of anger, guilt, isolation, fear, sadness, or anticipatory grief.
  • Know when you are stressed and learn the signs of your stress that may include feeling exhausted, getting sick more often, sleeplessness, impatience, irritability and forgetfulness.
  • Take time out and make time for yourself and others. Although a person with cancer has many needs that require your attention, just remember you do too, so spend time doing something you enjoy, with the people you love.
  • Don’t be too hard on yourself. Be kind and patient with yourself and remember it’s normal to experience occasional bouts of anger or frustration, along with the guilt of having those feelings. Search for a positive way to deal with these feelings.
  • Take care of yourself. Make time to exercise, eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep.
  • Stay positive. Having an optimistic attitude helps set the tone for everything you do and take on.

Infographic – Tips to Avoid Burnout

Fact Sheet – Guidelines for Caregivers on Taking Care of Themselves

Patient Rights and Rights of Caregivers

Guide for Palliative Care at Home

We recognise that Caregiving is very stressful, and we have created a Facebook Support Group CANSA Caring for the Caregivers to enable Caregivers to meet with others in a similar position and to share caregiving tips / advice and caregiving highs and lows. There are also online resources which Caregivers may share with their loved one or patient.

Dominique Forbes-Rose (Caregiver) says of caregiving, “In many ways it is a very lonely journey. It is just as traumatising for the carer, as for the cancer patient. You give so much of yourself to look after your loved one, you have no time to look after yourself. And with that, you don’t want to worry the patient about everything that you are taking care of behind the scenes, because they need to focus on getting healthy. It is probably the toughest mental wellness journey you can ever go through, and you need a support network to help you. I am so grateful that CANSA has a platform of support for us carers – it is so important to get that support.”

CANSA also offers support through counselling and training on how to support a patients. You can also enquire about our community home based care, CANSA Care Homes for patients receiving treatment far from home and CANSA Care Rooms providing respite care. We can also assist your loved one or patient with dietary tips; stoma care and affordable quality products; advice regarding lymphoedema management; breast prostheses and bras; adult incontinence wear, wigs (natural or synthetic); medical equipment hire and assistive devices.

Contact your local CANSA Care Centre for more information.

Casting Light on Lymphoma: Understanding a Stealthy Disease

CANSA marks World Lymphoma Day on 15 September, raising awareness of lymphoma, a cancer impacting thousands of lives.  This annual event highlights the importance of early detection, advancements in treatment, and the determined spirit of individuals living with lymphoma head-on. Chantel Memziwe, a cancer survivor, shares a remarkable tale of courage and resilience, when getting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). Diagnosed twice with this cancer, first in 2017 with stage 4 NHL, Chantel’s journey symbolises unwavering determination…

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Published: 13 September 2023
Updated: 14 September 2023
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Highlights, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health, Types of cancer, Women's Health

Love Shack SA Branded Cancer Awareness T-shirts & Mugs to Benefit CANSA

The Love Shack SA will donate R20 from the sale of every cancer awareness T-shirt sold, and R7,50 per standard mug and R9,50 per magic mug sold…

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Published: 2 June 2023
Updated: 2 June 2023
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Caregiving and Cancer, Fundraising Events & Projects, I have Cancer, No Alcohol, Our Cause Related Marketing Partners, Women's Health

CANSA Ask The Expert Virtual Support Group – 26 April 2023

Join our virtual support group – on 26 April 2023 – where guest speaker, Dr Kerry-Ann Louw discusses depression and anxiety.

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Published: 21 April 2023
Updated: 30 May 2023
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Webinars, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health, Women's Health

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support Group – 22 March 2023

22 March 2023 – CANSA support group member, Ben George, shares his journey with cancer.

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Published: 16 March 2023
Updated: 23 March 2023
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support Group – 22 February 2023

22 February 2023 – Topic:  Palliative Care and My Cancer Journey – the speaker is Dr Thilo Govender…

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Published: 20 February 2023
Updated: 22 February 2023
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 7 December 2022

Whytie de Witt will be sharing about his cancer journey…

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Published: 2 December 2022
Updated: 9 December 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

Cape Argus Facebook Live – Get Educated About Breast Cancer – 27 October 2022

Watch video recording – Dr Francois Malherbe, Head of Breast and Surgical Endocrine Unit Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, and Lucy Balona (CANSA) discussed breast cancer on Facebook…

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Published: 25 October 2022
Updated: 22 December 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Webinars, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Women's Health

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 8 October 2022

Virtual CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 8 October 2022 with Shaheed Mahomed.

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Published: 6 October 2022
Updated: 10 October 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

Seminar: Unpacking the Implications of Constitutional Guarantees on the Right to Health for Cancer Patients

CANSA / Cancer Alliance invites you to a seminar on 6 October 2022 “Unpacking the Implications of Constitutional Guarantees on the Right to Health for Cancer Patients”…

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Published: 25 September 2022
Updated: 7 October 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Advocacy, CANSA Webinars, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer

Children, Food and Cancer  

In September, CANSA raises awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of support for children and parents affected specifically regarding food and diets. CANSA TLC partnered with B-well to produce a booklet, ‘Understanding a Child’s Dietary Needs When They are Diagnosed with Cancer’ for parents to better manage the dietary side effects their children experience while on cancer treatment…

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Published: 20 September 2022
Updated: 17 October 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Caregiving and Cancer, Dietary Tips

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 27 August 2022

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 27 August 2022. Our speaker will be Michael Meredith (neuroendocrine lung cancer Survivor, trained counsellor and end of life doula…

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Published: 25 August 2022
Updated: 29 August 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

Spousal Caregiving & Burnout

Charmaine Stumke, shares her journey as caregiver to her husband Len…

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Published: 24 July 2022
Updated: 28 July 2022
Categories: Caregiving and Cancer

Men Supporting Men Support Group with Xylon van Eyck – 23 July 2022

CANSA invites male cancer patients and survivors to join our next support group meeting via Zoom.  We are excited that our speaker will be Xylon van Eyck, cancer survivor and Ironman athlete, sharing his journey and how he overcomes challenges…

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Published: 21 July 2022
Updated: 28 July 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Webinars, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

Support is At the End of a Telephone Call

CANSA is committed to protecting the rights of cancer patients and caregivers, having established a free Tele Counselling service (available in seven languages), two years ago in commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July).  CANSA recognises commitment to human rights and that all affected by cancer are entitled to psycho-social support…

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Published: 15 July 2022
Updated: 1 September 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Eastern Cape, CANSA Free State, CANSA Gauteng, CANSA KwaZulu-Natal, CANSA Limpopo, CANSA Mpumalanga, CANSA North West, CANSA Northern Cape, CANSA Western Cape, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Media Releases & News

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 25 June 2022

Join the CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group on 25 June 2022 from 9 00 to 10 00…

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Published: 24 June 2022
Updated: 27 June 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

CANSA Pain Manager App for better Quality of Life

As part of International Cancer Survivors’ Day, CANSA launches a free CANSA Pain Manager app, in association with the Centre of Community Technology at Nelson Mandela University (CCT), sponsored by Pfizer. It’s in the format of a diary or calendar allowing the patient / caregiver to input relevant information such as logging pain experienced daily and allows input reminders of medication schedule / dosage and appointments.

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Published: 1 June 2022
Updated: 1 September 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Beyond Diagnosis & Treatment, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Media Releases & News, Men's Health, Women's Health

CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group – 28 May 2022

Join the CANSA Men Supporting Men Cancer Support group on 28 May 2022 | 09:00-10:00

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Published: 23 May 2022
Updated: 24 June 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Webinars, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

Palliative Care for Cancer Patients – What We Should Know

Any patient can request palliative care! It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided alongside potentially curative treatment…

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Published: 2 May 2022
Updated: 16 August 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Advocacy, Beyond Diagnosis & Treatment, CANSA's Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Programme, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health, Women's Health

CANSA Collaborates with Alignd to Increase Access to Palliative Care

CANSA has partnered with Alignd, a value-based care and patient-centric organisation working with medical schemes to improve access to and cover for palliative care from diagnosis of serious cancer…

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Published: 2 May 2022
Updated: 6 May 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, Advocacy, Beyond Diagnosis & Treatment, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health, Women's Health

Men Supporting Men Support Group for Cancer Patients – 19 March 2022

Male cancer patients finally have the opportunity to meet each other and share in a safe space. Male cancer patients are invited to join the next support group meeting via Zoom: Saturday, 19 March 2022…

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Published: 17 March 2022
Updated: 22 March 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, CANSA Webinars, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Men's Health

CANSA – Guardian of Cancer Patients’ Human Rights 

On 21 March, Human Rights’ Day is celebrated coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, that enshrines the rights of all people in South Africa and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) upholds and helps protect the human rights of cancer patients, by speaking on behalf of patients through its Advocacy and Service departments and facilitating improved access to medication, treatment and palliative care…

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Published: 16 March 2022
Updated: 19 May 2022
Categories: A Loved One has Cancer, About CANSA, Advocacy, Caregiving and Cancer, I have Cancer, Media Releases & News

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