After taking time out from training as a result of tiredness due to his treatment, Suafoa returned to play from the bench against the Rebels in Melbourne at the weekend and is available for selection to play the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Suafoa said the main thing running through his head when getting back on the field in Melbourne was not to miss a tackle or make a mistake.
His attitude during his radiation treatment after the removal of a tumour in his back was not to think, 'Why me?' That was because people in his family and others all went through their hardships. In his childhood, his family faced hardships, yet they were able to push through.
He said learning the egg-sized lump removed from his back was cancerous was scary.
"I didn't really know how to deal with it because it was over the phone and so sudden.
"There were a lot of emotions, and it was sudden and a shock.
"I found out a few weeks later, post-surgery, that I would need radiation after that, more as a precaution because we were told that the type of cancer I had comes back quite often.
"The oncologists and surgeons thought it was best to have some radiation in that area just to make sure nothing like that happened."
He had six weeks of treatment through the first months of 2024.
His decision to continue training in preparation for the season was a case of wanting some normality in his life.
"I just wanted to be treated normally and to treat it as normal until I started getting a bit more tired. It was my way of dealing with it.
"Possibly, it wasn't the best way, but that's how I went about it.
"Rugby was a distraction, and I didn't want to be stuck at home either."
He had mixed feelings whether it was the right thing to do. His partner was not happy he was still training, but it had worked out in the end. Having her on his side was beneficial, especially when he was tempted to return early.
After playing the Waratahs, he took that week and the following bye week off before returning to light duties in total health.
Now it is a case of being back to full fitness and prepared to face the Hurricanes in a table-topping game at the weekend.
Suafoa said he had plenty of contact with players and the team's medical staff while recuperating. And he feels good after his time away.
"It's probably a bit of a shock to the body health, you forget how fast rugby can be."