June Sampson continues her series of features on living with cancer. This week, she looks at the benefits of the diagnosis.

Everyone dreads cancer. Yet its victims often say it's the best thing that ever happened to them.

Until last August I would have dismissed this claim as whistling in the wind, courageous but false. Then I was diagnosed with cancer myself and discovered, to my astonishment, that it's true: this wretched scourge can actually bring blessings!

Someone who wholeheartedly concurs is Jan Morrison, who leads the team of specialist cancer nurses at Kingston Hospital, and has been working with cancer patients for more than two decades.

"They tell me it makes them re-evaluate their lives, and gain a new sense of purpose," she said.

Another life enhancer is the massive backup available. Getting cancer is like joining a huge club, where you have instant rapport with all the members, and access to any number of perks designed to make you feel happier and, more comfortable.

This is especially valuable to those who have no family on hand or, for one reason or another, feel very alone at this crisis in their lives. Indeed, they can find themselves forming more firm friendships than they ever have before.

Kingston Hospital has a lively Cancer Support Group. It meets monthly at the Post Graduate Medical Centre and, over tea, coffee and biscuits, members enjoy discussions, talks, informal chat and relaxation therapy.

"It's not just for hospital patients," said Jan. "The group is open to everyone in the local area. Patients, carers, friends - all are welcome."

Kingston has no walk-in cancer advice centre as yet. Until it does, local people use the Walk-in Awareness and Information Centre, run by CancerBACUP and the Crocus Trust at Charing Cross Hospital. The hospital, in Fulham Palace Road, is the major cancer treatment centre for west London, and many cases including mine are referred there from the boroughs of Kingston, Richmond, Merton and Elmbridge.

The walk-in centre is a boon. It's on the ground floor and you can drop in without notice for a confidential chat with trained cancer nurses and advisers.

"To be told you or a loved one has cancer can be a frightening experience, and your needs will vary at different stages, from diagnosis, through treatment and afterwards," said a BACUP spokesman. "Our centre can give the information and support you need to help you cope."

The same concern and support is apparent in the cancer wards. During my fortnightly sessions as an in-patient at Charing Cross I'm constantly marvelling at the dedication of the staff. Cancer seems to bring out the best in people, be they patients or nurses, and there are few of the carps and complaints you hear in a general ward.

At first I missed the luxury of private care. Then I realised how therapeutic it is to be sharing space and the loo! with fellow sufferers. It makes for instant camaraderie and lots of laughs, laced with the sort of irony and black humour that's always been a British mainstay. It also banishes any self-pity, or "why-me?" attitudes.

Each fortnight I meet new people, and the extraordinary thing is they never whinge, no matter how badly afflicted they are. Their stance is that life's too precious to waste on grumbling and that cancer has taught them to value everyday experiences they took for granted before. In other words they and I have found a new sort of inner happiness that helps to counter fears of the Big C that threatens us all. The Charing Cross Cancer Association's patient booklet sums it up well: "Cancer may have robbed us of the attitude that tomorrow is forever. In exchange, however, we are granted the vision to see each today as a gift to be used wisely and richly. No-one can take that away."

Another bonus is that cancer patients at Charing Cross are entitled to free complementary treatments in the form of aromatherapy or reflexology. This isn't mere idle luxury. Both have been proved to help patients physically, psychologically and spiritually, and both are blissful. The first involves massage with essential oils, such as lavender and rosemary. The second is specialised massage and manipulation of the feet, and is one of the nearest things I know to heaven on earth. So the high point of my hospital incarcerations is the appearance at my bedside of Elizabeth Doeff, one of the complementary therapy team. She lives on Kingston Hill, and is such a wonderful reflexologist that I shall become one of her paying clients when my hospital programme is over.

Charing Cross also offers cancer patients relaxation classes and art therapy, with free use of materials.

And for those who lose their hair (a common side-effect of chemotherapy) really beautiful wigs, indistinguishable from the real thing, can be had free of charge, with a professional expert on hand to advise on the most suitable style and colour.

In addition, there's support for patients and their families on a whole spectrum of issues, ranging from domestic and financial help to diet, transport and emotional and spiritual well being. Oh yes. Awful though cancer is, it does win you perks not so readily available in other illnesses!

March 22, 2002 17:30