Being diagnosed with cancer turns your world upside down. For Inna Zaslavsky, her world has been turned upside down three times. First came stomach cancer at age 29. 15 years later, it was breast cancer. And another 15 years after that it was breast cancer again. Each time, Inna was treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
Over 30 years, Inna has experienced first-hand how the treatments for cancer have improved and advanced at The Princess Margaret – less invasive treatments, opportunities for earlier detection – but also support for her mental wellbeing.
After going through treatment for her most recent diagnosis, her surgeon, Dr. Tulin Cil referred her for mental health support. “She said to me, ‘I think you should talk to somebody because of how many times you were sick.’ If she didn't refer me, I don't think I would have even thought about it," recalls Inna.
Even though she is no longer actively in treatment, Inna still speaks to a psychiatrist at The Princess Margaret regularly. “I don't expect anybody to understand what I'm going through. But when I talk to Dr. Elliott, this is her specialty. Sometimes, if a test doesn't come out the way that I wish that it did, then that's when my anxiety levels spike. But she listens to me and can bring me back to reality. So, when I leave there, I'm not in that heightened sense of fear anymore."
Reducing the fear and anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis is one of the goals of the Supportive Care department at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Dr. Sarah Hales is a researcher and the site lead for medical psychiatry in the division of Psychosocial Oncology. “The work that we do really focuses on the psychological and social experiences that patients and their caregivers are going through and provides support for them, so people and their families can thrive after cancer treatment."
“Healthcare, understandably, focuses a lot on the biology of a person and on cancer itself. And that means psychosocial care is often seen as an add-on or something that is not essential. But I think that idea is changing quite a bit. A lot of that is really pushed by the public who are saying, ‘I'm more than my cancer. I need to be seen as a whole person.’"
That desire for more fulsome support is creating an opportunity for Dr. Hales and her team to do more. “Through our research, we’re trying to improve new modes of care for depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems that cancer patients face." Dr. Hales hopes that with this growing recognition of the importance of whole-person care, there will also be more philanthropic support to help push the field forward.
“Without the Princess Margaret Home Lottery, many cancer patients wouldn’t have access to mental health supports and might not be able to make it through their treatment."
Inna is profoundly grateful that her doctor recognized when she needed more support, outside of the physical treatments she underwent. Today, as Dr. Elliott reminds her, she’s focused on taking things one day at a time. “Now, the future for me means travelling… being happy… waking up in the morning and seeing blue skies and sunshine. The future for me is freedom – freedom from fear."