Cancer support groups are meetings that offer a safe space for people affected by
cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...
to share their experiences and emotions with other people who have cancer. People in stressful situations benefit from having a good
social support
Social support is the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and, most popularly, that one is part of a supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional (e.g., nurturance), ...
system, and a cancer support group can be part of a support system.
Cancer support groups are similar to other kinds of other types of
support group
In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic. Members with the same issues can come together for sharing coping str ...
s. Different support systems have thus been developed including community support groups, online cancer support groups, networks, forums, and
charitable organizations
A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, Religion, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good).
The legal definitio ...
. Some groups focus on specific types of cancer and others include anyone. There are also support groups for family members and survivors.
Types
Community support groups are usually led by
psychologists
A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how ...
,
social workers, and
medical professionals and can take place in
churches,
hospitals
A hospital is a healthcare institution providing patient treatment with specialized health science and auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically has an emergency ...
, or
community centers.
Online support groups and forums are convenient for people who find it difficult to leave their homes. People participating in such forums have the possibility to maintain their
anonymity
Anonymity describes situations where the acting person's identity is unknown. Anonymity may be created unintentionally through the loss of identifying information due to the passage of time or a destructive event, or intentionally if a person cho ...
.
Also, people may have different concerns stemming from their particular situation in life which may warrant a special support group that caters specifically to their needs. For example, there are support groups dedicated to helping younger women through their cancer experience, or that focus on parents with younger children.
Support for rare cancers is particularly challenging, as patients may be a long way from specialist treatment centers, and also from other patients with whom they might gain support and advice. The advent of the internet has allowed support groups for these rare cancers to emerge on a global basis, providing one to one and group oriented advice and support to patients and their families who may live on different continents, yet are able to share symptoms, experiences and advice, for example on diet or pain relief. Organizations such as
European Organisation for Rare Diseases assist in coordinating and providing support for such organizations.
Emotional and informational support
Cancer support groups can provide both emotional and informational support. However, many online cancer support groups skew towards providing more informational support. For example, cancer support groups may also share information regarding available treatments, managing side effects, or negotiating
accommodations from a workplace.
Apart from having to cope with the physical and medical challenges, people with cancer face many worries, feelings, and concerns unique to their situation. Cancer patients may find that they need help coping with the emotional as well as the practical aspects of their disease. Attention to the emotional burden of having cancer is often a part of a patient's treatment plan. The support of the health care team (doctors, nurses, social workers), support groups, and patient-to-patient networks can help people feel less isolated and distressed, and improve the quality of their lives.
No effect on cancer survival
Support groups provide many immediate and practical benefits to participants. However, participation in a support group does not cure cancer, slow the spread of cancer, or result in longer survival.
See also
*
Psycho-oncology
*
Caregiver stress
*
Cancer survivor
References
External links
On the well-meaning advice to have a positive attitude
Support groups
Mind–body interventions