NETSAS Offer:
We offer 1 Individual free virtual psychosocial and information sessions and counselling Please book one free session now your with an Oncology social worker. All information will be confidential and will not be shared with anybody without the patient’s permission.
Monthly Virtual Support Group session on Wednesday evenings from 19h00 to 20h30. See the list of dates below. If you want to join our support group please register here. Please watch recordings of some of the groups held to date: Click here to watch.
We also offer a NETSAS Buddy Project Support Session if you would like to talk with someone who is living with neuroendocrine tumours who can share their journey with you and assist with some basic questions and some practical advise, please email our contact email and we will set this up for you.
| Date |
| 28 April 2021 |
| 26 May 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 |
| 28 July 2021 |
| 25 August 2021 |
| 29 September 2021 |
| 27 October 2021 |
| 24 November 2021 |
| No group meeting in December 2021 |
| 26 January 2022 |
| 23 February 2022 |
| 30 March 2022 |
| 27 April 2022 |
| 25 May 2022 |
Introduction to the Psycho social Support section of our website
Coming to terms with your diagnosis and healing goes far beyond medical treatment. It is important that you ensure that you take care of body mind and spirit along your treatment journey and the 1st step is to realise that it is normal to be distressed when you are diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour, particularly during the time when the diagnosis is being made. During diagnosis, there is a magnitude of uncertainty about the next step and what treatment will be most appropriate. You will be going through many tests and the period of uncertainty will feel awfully long. It is important to reach out and talk to people who understand your situation and this will provide a safe place to talk and to gain more understanding about what you can expect during this journey. Remember cancer touches your family and loved ones as well and they will also need support and guidance along this journey. It is during this initial phase that it may be helpful to reach out to an organisation that understands the illness and can provide you with basic information that can empower you as you prepare for the treatment phase. By becoming part of our support group, we can offer you a solid support structure with which to begin the healing process.
Distress management
The distress associated with a cancer diagnosis is real and you need to attend to this as a matter of urgency as too much anxiety will impact your immune system and will impact your response to treatment. Distress management refers to the process of distress screening and the actions needed to provide the necessary psychosocial care.
“Distress is the multifactorial unpleasant experience of a psychological (cognitive, behavioural, emotional), social and/or spiritual nature that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms and its treatment. Distress extends along a continuum ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness and fear, to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation and existential spiritual crises.” -Holland
Distress Screening
The importance of identifying, monitoring and treating distress at the start of cancer treatment is imperative as this contributes to the quality of life of a patient and reduces the burden of suffering throughout the cancer journey.
Distress screening is acknowledged as being the 6th vital sign in oncology. When a patient is diagnosed, it is not only his/her physical health that is affected but there are also social, emotional, psychological, spiritual and practical consequences. 35-40% of cancer patients experience enough distress that justifies referral to a professional.
Fill in the online distress thermometer to measure your distress. This will give you an indication of what areas you need support for. If you have marked more than 6 items we would suggest that you schedule an appointment with our oncology counsellor.
Remember that you are never alone… we are here to walk this road with you because we understand and have been there ourselves.
Learn to live your life despite your cancer, instead of stopping to live because of it. At NETSAS, we support developing a patient-active approach that empowers you as you begin a new chapter of your life. Let us help you to take control over your process, and allow us to show you how healing is much more than just the physical aspect of your cancer journey.
Here is a link to additional information regarding “Distress During Cancer Care”
The NETSAS Buddy Project:
Our NETSAS Buddy Project is unique as it helps in connecting people for one-on-one cancer support all over the country. Sharing your journey with someone who understands and has been through the experience before can add tremendous value. Living with cancer is much easier if the burden is shared, especially with someone who is equipped with the knowledge of having been in the same situation; somebody who understands.
Recommended web resources: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/neuroendocrine-tumor-gastrointestinal-tract/coping-with-treatment