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T +27 (0)21 900 6277
E reception@haemalife.co.za

A 4G Riverside View Chambers
Netcare Kuils River Hospital
33 Van Riebeeck Road
Kuils River
7580


Coping with Cancer

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it is normal to experience a range of feelings. You may feel sadness, anger, denial, anxiety, hope, hopelessness, and guilt. These are normal and expected reactions.

The first step in learning to cope with cancer is to become informed. We cannot expect to learn to cope with something if we do not know anything about it and we do not have a plan forward. So let’s start by becoming informed. Your doctors will speak to you about your diagnosis. Use the opportunity to ask questions.

This is your journey and information can be incredibly empowering. It might be helpful to include a family member or a close friend in these sessions with your doctor. Sometimes the mass of information can be overwhelming so it helps for the second set of ears.

It will also be helpful for this support person to hear about your illness as they will most likely be the ones to look after you during and after treatment.

Once we are informed about the illness it will help to come up with a plan. Your care team will speak to you about a treatment plan. You might be faced with some difficult decisions. It might help to see a counsellor in this time to work through your thoughts.

Feel free to contact Kirstie, Haemalife’s social worker, for some help working through this. She will provide a neutral space for you to talk about your feelings around your illness and she will help you to identify your support system for this journey.

If you have questions regarding your treatment, feel free to contact your care team for more information. They are always willing to help make things easier for you.

Now that you are informed, you have a plan, and you know who your support system is, you will be more equipped to deal with your cancer. One may never come to terms with their cancer, but there are things we can do to make coping with cancer easier.

Remember to be kind to yourself on this journey and to practice self-care. Accept help when it is offered, and lean on your support system.

Consider regular counselling, talking about your journey can be very cathartic. If you do not feel comfortable talking to a counsellor maybe try to identify a family member or close friend that you can confide in. Alternatively, you can try writing about it, or exploring other creative avenues to express your feelings.

Look after your physical health too. Eat healthily and exercise regularly, even if you can only manage some light stretching or a walk. A cancer diagnosis can challenge your spirituality.

You might find it helpful to talk to a spiritual leader to help guide you through this time. Consider joining a support group. It can be very healing to hear other’s stories and to share your own with others experiencing the same thing.

There are resources available to help you in coping with this cancer journey. Here are a few links to assist you in coping with cancer:

www.cancerbuddies.org.za
www.cansa.org.za
www.plwc.org.za

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CLL

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a slow-growing cancer of B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. In CLL, abnormal B-cells accumulate in the blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues, often crowding out healthy cells and weakening the immune system.

Diagnosis is made through blood tests showing a high number of mature-looking lymphocytes, flow cytometry to confirm their identity, and sometimes bone marrow biopsy. Genetic testing helps predict disease course and guide treatment.

Types of CLL are classified mainly by genetic features (e.g., deletions of 17p, 13q, or mutations like TP53) and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGHV) mutation status, which influence prognosis and therapy choice.

Treatment options depend on symptoms, disease progression, and risk factors. Many patients are initially monitored without treatment (“watch and wait”). When therapy is needed, options include targeted therapies (BTK inhibitors, BCL2 inhibitors), chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and in select cases, stem cell transplantation. Supportive care focuses on managing infections and other complications.

MYELOMA

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. In MM, abnormal plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out healthy cells and producing defective antibodies, which can cause organ damage.

Diagnosis involves blood tests (showing abnormal proteins or anemia), urine tests (detecting excess light chains), and a bone marrow biopsy. Imaging like X-rays, MRI, or PET/CT scans can detect bone lesions. Additional tests identify genetic changes that affect prognosis.

Types of Myeloma are often classified based on the type of abnormal protein produced (IgG, IgA, light-chain, etc.) and genetic features of the plasma cells. Smoldering (asymptomatic) myeloma is an early, slow-growing form.

Treatment options depend on age, health, and disease stage. Common approaches include chemotherapy, targeted therapies (like proteasome inhibitors or immunomodulators), immunotherapy (monoclonal antibodies), stem cell transplantation, and supportive care to manage bone disease, anemia, or kidney problems.

ALL

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which immature lymphoid cells (B or T lymphocytes) multiply uncontrollably, crowding out normal blood cells and impairing immune function.

Diagnosis involves blood tests showing abnormal lymphoblasts, followed by a bone marrow biopsy. Immunophenotyping, cytogenetic, and molecular testing are used to confirm the diagnosis, classify the subtype, and assess prognosis.

Types of ALL are classified based on the lymphocyte involved (B-cell or T-cell ALL) and specific genetic abnormalities. Certain subtypes, such as Philadelphia chromosome–positive ALL, have important treatment implications.

Treatment options depend on age, risk factors, and genetic findings. Therapy typically includes multi-phase chemotherapy, targeted therapies (such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors), immunotherapy (including monoclonal antibodies or CAR T-cell therapy), and in some cases stem cell transplantation. Supportive care is essential throughout treatment.

AML

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which abnormal myeloid cells multiply and crowd out normal blood cells, leading to anemia, infections, and bleeding.

Diagnosis is made through blood tests showing abnormal cells, followed by a bone marrow biopsy. Additional tests such as cytogenetic, molecular, and immunophenotyping studies help confirm AML and guide treatment.

Types of AML are classified based on cell appearance and genetic changes. Major systems include the WHO and FAB classifications. Subtypes are defined by specific chromosome or gene abnormalities, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), which requires specialized therapy.

Treatment options depend on patient age, health, and AML subtype. They may include intensive chemotherapy, targeted therapies (such as FLT3 or IDH inhibitors), immunotherapy, and stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation. Supportive care, including antibiotics and blood transfusions, is also essential.