Find a cancer buddy early on

You'll discover that just having someone who's been there, who's got the T shirt and is living proof that you CAN get through this enormous challenge will go a long way in helping you to stay focused and remain positive even on the toughest of days of your cancer journey.

'You're not alone'. Those three little words will sustain you throughout your cancer journey, and the knowledge that you have a great medical team and additional support on your side will give you some much-needed peace of mind.

"I had a colleague who had survived breast cancer and she helped me to stay positive. I'd call her whenever I needed to know what was going on with me, such as after chemotherapy. She was like a coach for me," says Sibongile Mkhwebane. Like many other cancer patients, she discovered the importance of having a cancer buddy on her team, someone who had been through what she was going through, who knew exactly how she was feeling and who - by simply being there - was able to reinforce the fact that cancer can be beaten.

"A cancer buddy is a vital member of every cancer patient's support system," explains Louise Turner, Chief Operating Officer of the Breast Health Foundation, a Not-for-Profit organisation that aims to educate the public on breast cancer and breast health, increase awareness and empower women.

"Bosom Buddies, a Breast Health Foundation programme, focuses on the support of all Breast Cancer Warriors. "Every Bosom Buddy has faced breast cancer and is able to share their stories with newly diagnosed women. They'll help you to find the strength to stay positive as you fight your fight and will do their best to remove some of the fear factor by giving you practical information and answers to your questions."

A cancer buddy offers support, information and friendship at a time of crisis for anyone confronted by a cancer diagnosis. So says ovarian cancer survivor, Linda Greeff, who together with cancer survivor Carl Liebenberg founded People Living with Cancer. Adds Greeff: "Our peer-to-peer support project Cancer Buddies carefully matches and individually pairs each newly diagnosed cancer patient with someone who has fought and survived the same type of cancer. Family and friends also receive one-on-one support sessions with other caregivers and survivors and both of these free interventions and support services inspire hope and give patients an opportunity to personally interact with someone who's uniquely familiar with the experience."

What does a cancer buddy do?

Essentially a cancer buddy is a 'role model' or 'mentor' that a person diagnosed with cancer can turn to, whenever the need arises. He or she is someone who:

• Was diagnosed with the same cancer as the person being supported
• Has finished the majority of treatment
• Has some similarities with the journey of the person they are supporting - whether in the treatment plan, age or cultural background
• Is able to act as a 'sponsor' to the person supported
• Is strong enough to help them through their journey without putting the burden of their cancer journey on the person who needs support.

If you've been diagnosed with cancer, it's important to reach out as soon as possible and find yourself a cancer buddy even if you are blessed with an incredible support system of family and friends. Remember that they are also struggling to come to terms with your diagnosis and what you are going through while trying to be there for you. A cancer buddy is not as emotionally invested in your journey and can therefore give you an enormous amount of what you need right now: an understanding of where you are at and an idea of what lies ahead.

And because he or she literally 'gets you' and knows far more than anyone else about what you are experiencing, your cancer buddy will be of immense help and support every step of the way.

You can also read more about the CHOC Parent-to-Parent program here. It takes volunteer parents - whose child has completed treatment or is on maintenance (medication and general care) - and puts them in touch with parents about to begin their child's cancer journey.