Regardless of age, experiencing a diagnosis of cancer can have an overwhelming psychological impact not only on the patient but also their family and social networks.
Holistic support helps to reduce adverse psychological reactions to any traumatic event and peer connection is an essential aspect of this process, one not always included in the survivorship conversation but one that needs to be part of everyone’s experience.
The value of peer connection fluctuates throughout the cancer experience. Often, in the early days, it is about navigating the system, but later on, it can influence and guide people’s lives and the decisions they make. It can be a key to finding strategies to help negotiate and accept the changes and be better equipped to move through life.
Leonie’s presentation will highlight the importance of peer connection and how it contributes to the long-term emotional wellbeing of people affected by cancer. It will provide an understanding of how peer connection can contribute to meeting the psychosocial and psychological needs of people affected by cancer and demonstrate how successful programs that focus on peer connection have increased emotional resilience, strengthened relationships, reduced anxiety, and provided a greater ability to deal with stressful situations.