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July 24 has been designated as World Self-Care Day. This symbolic date (7/24) was chosen to remind us all of something very basic: that taking care of ourselves is a process that deserves to continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At the Cancer Patient Support Center, this day takes on a deeper and more meaningful significance. Self-care is not merely a luxury or a passing trend, but a valuable tool for physical, mental, and emotional empowerment—both for patients undergoing treatment and for their caregivers.
What does “self-care” mean?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is defined as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain well-being, and manage illness with or even without the support of a health professional.
This is an active commitment to ourselves, which includes:
1. Healthy daily habits: proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and moderate physical activity (always in consultation with your treating physician)
2. Prevention and responsibility: consistent medication adherence, regular preventive checkups, and following medical instructions.
3. Mental and emotional balance: recognizing personal boundaries, managing stress, accepting our emotions, and seeking help wherever and whenever we need it.
4. Health and health literacy: responsibly staying informed about our health status from reliable sources.
Self-Care in the Cancer Experience
For someone who has experienced cancer, self-care takes on a very personal character. It does not mean that “one must do everything on one’s own.” On the contrary, it is essential to:
• Listen to their body, without feeling guilty about the need for rest
• Take care of their emotional well-being. Allow themselves to feel every emotion—fear, fatigue, but also hope. Psychological support is considered one of the most important acts of self-care.
• Build a support network. It is absolutely essential to allow loved ones or specialized professionals to support them.
Caring for Caregivers
World Self-Care Day is equally dedicated to those who care for patients—family members, partners, and friends. People who stand by patients often tend to neglect their own needs, thereby driving themselves to physical and mental exhaustion. This day serves as a reminder that caring for caregivers is not selfish but an urgent necessity.
For caregivers to practice self-care in practice, they must first set boundaries, as they do not need to bear the entire burden alone. At the same time, it is important for them to acknowledge their emotions without judgment, accepting that fatigue, anger, and frustration are normal reactions. It is equally essential to set aside personal time. Fifteen to thirty minutes a day for a walk or to read a book can be beneficial. Finally, seeking psychological support is not a sign of weakness but an act of self-care.
The Cancer Patient Guidance Center is here for you
At K3, we believe that no one should have to walk this path alone. Self-care is strengthened when there is guidance, reliable information, and human support.
On this special day, let’s all take a step back from the fast pace of life and make our health and well-being a priority.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week: let’s take care of ourselves!
