WINDHOEK, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- When Thelma van Rooyen, living in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, was diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago, she never imagined that it would happen to her.
"It was a feeling of intense shock and questioning; why me?" she said on Monday. Fortunately, with the support of family and close kinship, she survived chemotherapy and mastectomy.
Van Rooyen, 61, has now turned her healing journey to educate people and provide therapy to local cancer patients to triumph over cancer, fusing her counseling career with her breast cancer survival story.
"Often, when one is diagnosed with cancer, many do not know how to handle such news. I reach out to patients and family to encourage them through counseling," said van Rooyen, who worked at the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).
Therapy and counseling include emotional support and explaining general medical procedures. The counseling also includes prayer and listening to the patients. "Most times, people just want to talk to someone who will listen without undermining them with pity," she added.
In addition to the sessions offered at the CAN facilities, van Rooyen undertook home visits and conducted telephone consultations for patients outside Windhoek. Help offered also extended to family members.
"Sometimes family members struggle to support cancer patients, and I advise and carry them through on how to encourage and love beyond the sickness," said van Rooyen.
On average, in a month, she attended to over 50 locals amid increasing numbers of cancer patients and has been doing that for nearly five years.
The efforts can also be challenging. According to van Rooyen, some people find it hard to accept their diagnosis. "Some are emotionally strained when I reach out to them and can use a harsh tone. In such cases, I relate them to my journey with cancer. And my biggest joy is when I bring hope to them," she said.
Breast cancer survivors attest to the impact of counseling. "Hearing the journey and story from breast cancer survivors truly gives courage to others, and counseling helps overcome the emotional drain from the diagnosis," said Hester Koch, a breast cancer survivor.
Meanwhile, as Namibia joined the rest of the world to mark this year's breast cancer awareness month in October, the CAN, which has been pioneering the fight against cancer since 1968, is raising awareness of cancer among locals.
Rolf Hansen, chief executive officer of the CAN, said breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Namibia, with over 500 people diagnosed with breast cancer annually. The association's facility has seen an extreme influx of patients, accommodating 143 patients from 10 regions of Namibia in 2021 alone.
"Our key message is that of early diagnosis. We also capacitate local women and the health workers on properly conducting a screening, which is instrumental to recovery," he said. ■