Emotions and cancer-Ngā Kare ā-roto me te Matepukupuku
This section discusses the emotional effects of cancer.
Everyone with cancer copes in their own way. The diagnosis may cause you to feel a range of strong emotions such as shock, anger, sadness, uncertainty, and hope. These are all-natural reactions. In a traditional Māori approach, wairua (spirit), whānau (family), our relationship to the land and the natural world, and the physical effects of illness are not separate from our emotions or our mental health.
Ka matapaki tēnei puka i ngā pānga kare ā-roto o te matepukupuku. Kei tēnā, kei tēnā, te āhua o tana whakahaere i ngā āhuatanga o tōna matepukupuku. Tērā pea, ka nui ngā momo kare ā-roto kaha ka rongo koe whai muri i te puta o te whakataunga mate, pērā ki te tumeke, ki te riri, ki te pōuri, te āwangawanga, me te awhero. Puta noa iho ai ēnei āhuatanga. Ki tā te Māori titiro, e kore rawa e noho wehe te wairua, te whānau, tō tātou hononga me papatūānuku me te ao turoa, me ngā pānga ā-kiko o te mate, i ō tātou kare ā-roto, ō tātou hauora ā-hinengaro rānei.You can read our e-book on emotions and cancer here.
Te whare tapa whā
This section uses the Māori health model, te whare tapa whā1 to explain emotions from a holistic perspective. Te whare tapa whā1 is a model of wellness that shows the relationship between taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing), taha whānau (family wellbeing) and taha tinana (physical wellbeing).
The symbolic use of a wharenui shows the four cornerstones (or sides) of Māori health. If one side is missing or damaged, the whole house (or person) may become unbalanced or unwell. Whenua (the connection with the land or environment), is the base for the other four sides and is a key part of a person’s identity. Connecting to nature, to the land and sea, can play a strong role in improving our emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
Taha hinengaro
Emotions are how you ‘feel on the inside’. They can have a physical effect on your body, affecting your spiritual wellbeing and your relationships with family/whānau and friends. This can be a time of grief as you adjust to loss and learn to live with the changes a cancer diagnosis can bring to your life. It is common to experience strong emotions at this time and they will change often.
Taha wairua
Spiritual distress is a common part of the cancer experience. Life changes in many ways when you or someone you care about has cancer. You might find that spiritual support can help you cope with these changes.
Taha tinana
When you have cancer you may feel better on some days than on others—every day is likely to be different. Looking after yourself by taking small steps to care for your body can improve your wellbeing and reduce stress. Taha tinana is about more than just the visible effects of cancer. Our mind, body, and spirit are not separate.
Taha whānau
Being part of a wider social system supports our emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Families/Whānau provide us with the strength to be who we are. In taha Māori, the links to our ancestors—our ties to our past, the present, and the future—are part of the strength we get from taha whānau.