By CANSA
This year’s theme for World Lymphoma Awareness Day, held on 15 September annually, is ‘It’s Time for Honest Talk’. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and other similar patient organisations across the world are encouraging people affected by lymphoma, to start having open and frank discussions about this cancer to help them navigate the challenging treatment journey from diagnosis.
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“On the 20th anniversary of the global awareness day, patient organisations like CANSA are calling for better clinical support to address the emotional effects of lymphoma diagnoses,” says CANSA National Manager: Health Programmes, Lorraine Govender.
This call is supported by the results of a 2024 global patient survey on lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) which reveal that 67% of people living with lymphoma said they had experienced emotional stress in the past six months. Specifically, 46% experienced fear of cancer relapse or progression, 35% experienced anxiety, 27% experienced depression and 20% experienced isolation. What’s more, the results show that people are not talking to their medical teams about how they are feeling.*
The survey is run every two years by the Lymphoma Coalition across more than 80 countries including South Africa. The coalition is a global network represented by more than 90 lymphoma patient organisations, such as CANSA, from more than 55 countries.
Lymphoma Coalition’s CEO Lorna Warwick states that having challenging feelings is normal, but people affected by lymphomas need access to professional support services, such as, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists to support their needs. “Despite the well-documented emotional effects of living with lymphoma, too often clinical practice guidelines are not followed and people with lymphomas are not screened for emotional distress,” Warwick adds.
Proactive screening for emotional issues in people with cancer is an important and cost-effective way to improve cancer management and quality of life. Medical teams can also help support patients by telling them what to expect with their diagnosis, and treatment, ensuring credible resources and information are available, and making timely referrals to specialists if needed.
“It may seem difficult, but honest conversations between people with lymphoma and their medical team can help address any emotional concerns and connect individuals to specialists and resources,” continued Warwick. “Also speaking openly with family, friends and a cancer patient-centred support group (like what CANSA offers) can help the people around you understand what you’re feeling and foster better, more supportive relationships.”
Govender shares that the survey also showed that 91% of caregivers to people with lymphoma experienced emotional effects. “When carrying these challenging feelings, it can be difficult for a caregiver to focus attention on a loved one in need.”
According to South Africa’s National Cancer Registry, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the fourth most common cancer in men with 1 325 cases reported in 2022 and 358 cases recorded of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In women, there were 1 067 cases reported in 2022 of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (6th most common cancer among women) and 279 cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
According to Govender, “CANSA takes a holistic view of people affected by all types of cancer including lymphoma. In addition to the comprehensive information and other forms of care and support we offer patients, family members and caregivers, we further provide emotional support through our free counselling service and support groups which can be accessed online, face-to-face and telephonically.”
CANSA educates and promotes awareness of this cancer type through infographics that are available in English, isiZulu, isiXhosa and Afrikaans. And this year, CANSA is going one step further by hosting a lymphoma webinar on 11 September that aims to encourage honest talk about the disease among those affected by it. A panel of social workers and patients will be sharing their experience and tips on how to get the lymphoma conversation started. Find out more and register online.
* Psychological Impact of Lymphoma 2023 (Lymphoma Coalition)
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