Breast cancer support group aimed at providing peer support,
educational workshops and coping strategies for patients, survivors and
caregivers launched at the Aga Khan University Hospital, (AKUH).
The support group, which aims at looking at the welfare of
cancers patients and survivors post treatment, will utilise four modalities that
are considered effective to ensure the survivors lead a normal life that is
free of fear of their future life.
During the launch, Zahra Haji, clinical psychologist and scientist at the Aga Khan University Hospital, explained the four models: Tai
Chi, Sound Healing, Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT tapping and Chair Yoga, which they had adopted to help in the support process of the survivors and
patients.
She said: “Tai chi is a gentle, low-impact exercise combining slow movements, deep breathing, and meditation. It originated in China as a martial art but is now widely practiced for its health benefits, often described as meditation in motion."
On sound healing she explained, “it is a holistic practice
that uses various sounds and vibrations to promote physical, emotional and
mental well-being. It involves using instruments like singing bowls, tuning
forks, and gongs to create soundscapes that can induce a state of deep relaxation and meditation.”
She said chair yoga is a modified form of yoga that is
done while seated in a chair for certain poses or using the chair for
balance with another and lastly EFT tapping, or Emotional Freedom
Techniques, which is a self-help technique that uses the principles of
acupressure to manage stress and anxiety. It involves tapping specific points
on the body with the fingertips while focusing on a specific emotion or issue
you want to release.
Prof Mansoor Saleh, founding chair in the Department of
Hematology and Oncology and founding director, Aga Khan University Cancer
Centre, showed displeasure on why post cancer treatment had been ignored, arguing
that it was important on the road to recovery of cancer survivors.
He said: “This support group will help you after I have done
medical procedures to help you live longer and when you go home the worries you
have is what this support group will help you with. It is very sad that we have
been ignoring that holistic part. This is the place where care and comfort
within the community setting can take place.”
“As an oncologist I focus on treatment, I give you surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation, I treat you when the white count is low. When you are hospitalized,
I do the right thing but the most important part is how do we alleviate fear,
how do we improve resilience, how do we help you when engulfed with fear of the
disease on whether it is going to come back, who will take care of your
children.”
The support group will focus on the effects of treatment
like suffering, reduced quality of life to provide care and compassion within
the community setting as it gives hope to patients, survivor and caregivers.
