I have Cancer

Whether you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or whether you are a veteran who has undergone the rigours of treatment, or if you are now in remission, CANSA considers you a cancer Survivor.

We want you to know that you are not alone and that we would like to support you and your loved ones. As you face your cancer diagnosis, learn to live with and through this disease and even beyond it, we would like to inspire hope and courage in you and empower you with the information you need to take control of your life.

Helping You Deal with Your Cancer Diagnosis:

What is Cancer Booklet

CANSA KZN and the KZN Department of Health collaborated to produce the “What Is Cancer Booklet” a basic guide about cancer and oncology: English | Zulu

CancerCare Coping Kit

A cancer diagnosis is very stressful. You have so many questions and it may feel as if your world has turned upside down.  Help is at hand with our CancerCare Coping Kit Audio-Programme.

We developed this audio-programme along with fellow cancer Survivors to help empower you to deal with cancer, by providing knowledge and understanding.

Through this audio-programme, we hope to equip you with practical tools for use in your daily life and to provide your family members & caregivers with information and knowledge, to make this journey easier.

You will learn more about the following:

• What is cancer, its treatment & side effects?
• Emotional reactions to a cancer diagnosis & the importance of communication
• Cancer & nutrition
• Celebrating life & living positively with cancer

iSurvivor Programme

We’d like to introduce you to Aunt Sophia. She has a wealth of information & practical tips to share with you.

Sign up for our iSurvivor email-based support programme and she’ll send you weekly emails to inspire & encourage you – no charge – she’s a cancer Survivor herself, so she knows what  a rollercoaster ride this cancer journey can be!

If you are a metastatic breast cancer patient you can sign up for our iSurvivor Metastatic Breast Cancer email-based support programme, and benefit from the wisdom of other MBC patients.

CANSA at Home Pain Guide

CANSA at Home Pain Guide

Infographics – Coping with Cancer

This infographic series covers various aspects of coping with the cancer experience and is available in English, Afrikaans and several African languages.

English | Afrikaans | isiXhosa | isiZulu | seSotho | seTswana

PDF (English)

Online Support Resources

• Cancer Facts
• Cancer Survivorship Fact Sheet
• Cancer & Mental Health Fact Sheet
• Position Statement Rights of Patients & Caregivers
• Top Dietary Tips
• Nutritious Recipes
• Eau Thermale Avène Skin Booklet (helping you care for your skin during treatment)
• Fact Sheets “Coping with Cancer”
• Work and Cancer
• Beyond Diagnosis & Treatment

You can also join our Facebook Group: CANSA Survivors – Champions of Hope where you can meet other cancer Survivors – the members of this group will help support you & you in turn may inspire them! We also have a group for Caregivers. Ask your Caregiver to join our Facebook Group: CANSA Caring for the Caregivers.

Find more online support resources / groups here…

Helping You Cope with Side Effects of Treatment:

Read more about the our care & support services that we can offer you & your loved ones at our CANSA Care Centres and CANSA Care Homes (for patients living far from treatment centres). This includes free Tele or Virtual Counselling and support groups; free clinical counselling by a CANSA nurse providing guidance on coping with side effects of cancer, treatment, and pain control – email info@cansa.org.za for this service; stoma products and support, natural hair and synthetic wigs; medical equipment hire; breast prostheses (including free Knitted Knockers); lymphoedema garments; home based care training for loved ones; Care Room facilities (respite relief for caregivers / terminal care support); palliative care resources; cancer screening services for annual check-ups or if there is a concern.

CANSA Tele or Virtual Counselling can be accessed via the CANSA Help Desk on 0800 22 66 22 toll free, or book online. This is a confidential, professional, cancer-related telephonic counselling service to cancer patients, caregivers and their families and parents or guardians of children living with cancer. Counselling is available in most SA languages and is free of charge.

If cancer treatment is delayed or there is no access to pain control medication or stoma supplies, please submit the online form to our Advocacy Department. This is a free service.

CANSA is committed to connecting people facing cancer with information, day-to-day help as well as emotional support they need. Our aim is to ensure that cancer Survivors and their loved ones don’t have to face cancer alone; we’re here to support them through every step of their cancer experience.*

* The responsibility rests with patients to contact CANSA for assistance. CANSA is not informed of any diagnoses / of patients being treated at medical centres. Family need to obtain permission from patients, before CANSA may contact them. Read more…

Share Your Story of Hope

You have the power to encourage and inspire a fellow cancer patient by sharing your cancer journey – share your story of Hope…