From Diagnosis to Survivorship: Using Cancer Support Group as an Advocacy and Support Platform for Cancer Care in Nigeria

Abstract

Background and context: Cancer diagnosis comes with a lot of challenges. It is a huge burden to the patient, family, and community; subjecting them to financial crisis, emotional distress, dearth of self-esteem, and physiologic deformations. From a patient's perspective, treatment of cancer is complex and complicated with the weak healthcare system, attitude of healthcare workers, lack of insurance, lack of trust to orthodox medicine and stigmatization. Cancer patients are constantly seeking solace, people to listen to them and people who understand their state of mind and can be a source of inspiration. Studies have shown that peer cancer support group results in psychological benefit and improve relationships. The 2016 World Cancer Congress patient's pavilion inspired us to start up a cancer support group for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers known as Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group (ABC-SG). The cancer support was primarily founded for only breast cancer patient, survivor, caregivers and for peer support; as at today the group has transited from being patient group to also being an advocacy group with a number of activities and programs aimed at propelling all cancer patients from diagnosis to survivorship. Aim: To disseminate impact of establishing a breast cancer support group in Abuja and how it has helped cancer patients/survivors inspire each other while engaging policymakers to make cancer control a national health priority in Nigeria. Strategy/Tactics: The study reviewed the 1-year activities of the ABC-SG and surveyed the impact of the peer support to the 36 members of the group. Program/Policy process: As part of Project PINK BLUE SPARC MBC activities, ABC-SG was supported in different activities and programs targeted at peer support and policy change advocacy. Outcomes: The cancer support group have become a point of networking and inspiration for several patients and survivors; hence, more cancer patients are beginning to come out from their closest to identify with the support and make their diagnosis public. What was learned: There is an improvement in psychological states of patients and their physiologic understanding of their diagnosis by meeting together, networking, and interaction through social media. Our qualitative finding also showed that cancer patients needs platforms to speak out, to advocate and to change the course of cancer care if provided with all the necessary training and support.