Gynaecological Cancers - Social Work

What is Social Work?

Social workers are qualified professionals who offer services to individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. Social workers aim to improve the well being of these client groups by working with them to address their psychological, emotional and practical needs.

Social workers adhere to the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Social Work and Cancer.

A person diagnosed with cancer is confronted by fears, anxieties^(G) and frustrations related to their diagnosis, treatment and future plans, as are their families and carers. The stress^(G) of cancer is a crisis of adjustment for the woman concerned individually and in her relationships with others. Partners and family contend with fears and anxieties for the cancer patient and complex emotional and practical issues for themselves.

Social Workers assist by acknowledging these concerns and working with patients and their families and carers to find individual coping strategies that work best for each situation. Social workers are trained to provide assistance in the following areas:

Counselling related to:

• fears and anxieties about diagnosis and treatment plans; and
•  grief^(G) and loss issues.

Information about

• how to access information and education about types of cancer;
•  community resources including how to access financial/practical assistance;
•  emotional reactions and coping strategies; and
•  support groups.

Referrals to community agencies which can support patients within the community.

What are the issues for Patients?

Gynaecological cancer is a unique form of cancer because of its specific impact upon a woman's identity as a whole - physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Issues that a woman may face include:

• the threat to health and survival, which is also common to other cancer diagnoses
• the impact on a woman's body image^(G) and self esteem^(G) at the time of diagnosis and after surgery for cancer which could be associated with a sense of mutilation^(G), loss of feelings of femininity and desirability, and anxieties about resuming sexual functioning. Of particular relevance is the loss of fertility and child bearing ability (even if a woman had decided to have no further children).
• Fears about possible inability to fulfil previous roles within their families, the workplace and the wider community, and anxieties about having to rethink priorities and adjust roles.
• Loss of independence and control.
• Coping with emotional reactions related to diagnosis and treatment, which include:
  • Shock, fear
  • Anger, frustration
  • Sadness, depression^(G)
  • Anxiety
  • Hope, optimism
  • Guilt

These reactions are all normal responses within the adjustment process and their varying intensity is unique to each individual.

Further Information

For additional information contact:

Hospital Social Workers and Psychologists

• Queensland Cancer Fund Information Line - ph 1300 361 366
• Community Health Centres
• Women's Health Centres
• Women's Health Queensland Wide - ph 1800 017 676