How Support Groups Can Help

From the practical to the emotional

In support groups, people facing cancer and their loved ones can talk openly about difficult thoughts and feelings, and know that others in the group understand. Almost all groups have a leader. The leader may be a trained counselor, or a person like you, who has lived with cancer.

People can find both practical information and emotional help in support groups. Some medical studies even suggest that being in a support group can actually help you recover from cancer.

What happens in a support group?

People often talk about what it feels like to face cancer. They share tips about ways to cope - from side effects, to insurance, to loneliness. You might learn about new treatments that are being developed. You may come away feeling more hopeful and not so lonely. Support groups have rules about confidentiality, to protect your privacy.

There are different kinds of cancer support groups, for example:

  • groups for people with many different types of cancer
  • groups especially for people who are living with the same kind of cancer
  • groups just for people with cancer, or just for caregivers (everyone can say what's on their mind without being afraid to hurt someone they love)
  • groups where people with cancer and their loved ones meet together (a good way to find out what's really going on for your main caregivers)
  • groups that focus only on difficult feelings
  • groups that talk about all aspects of cancer
  • "online" support groups that happen through the computer and the Internet (these are available any time you want to participate, without a need to travel; but you should always check with your doctor about information you learn in an online chat room or discussion group)

Cancer
A general term for more than 100 different diseases that involve the uncontrolled increase of abnormal new cells. These cells form tumors that can destroy surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body.