The Importance Of Cancer Support Groups
Many cancer patients find extreme benefit from joining cancer support groups. A network of supporters can help them manage the flood of emotions and fears they experience during cancer treatment and beyond. Studies have shown that support groups lessen anxiety, boost self-esteem, lower depression, and improve relationships. They are also excellent information and education resources.
Cancer patients, along with their family members and caregivers, often find support groups to be good therapy. But cancer support groups are not therapy groups, although psychologists and social workers may facilitate group meetings. They are more like community-based sharing groups, and each one develops a life of its own.
Whether they are cancer survivors, in remission, or going through treatment, all cancer patients have questions. And they all have numerous emotions to handle. They need a place to go for honest answers and emotional support. Cancer support groups are that place.
Support groups are empathetic communities of people who know cancer and understand the fears. Walking the cancer path is lonely, cold, and isolating. But support groups provide warm, understanding company for the journey.
Joining a cancer support group may be uncomfortable, or even scary. After all, the group members represent many different faces of cancer, and everyone must confront hard issues, including their own mortality. But support groups help validate the cancer experience and offer immeasurable support for the journey.
This validation and support is hugely important for cancer patients. It provides patients with a better grasp of their condition, and a better quality of life.
Interestingly, the survival rate may also be better for support group members than for those who undergo medical treatment alone. The American Cancer Society says many studies have been conducted to explore the effect of support groups on survivorship. While there were no hard-and-fast findings, it is evident that support groups complement medicine and help with treatment.
Some support groups are designed to help patients cope with a particular cancer. For example, Reach To Recovery supports breast cancer survivors, Man-to-Man helps men with prostate cancer, and there are even support groups out there for people diagnosed with a deadly disease like mesothelioma. Other groups, like Cancer Survivors Network, offer community and online support for people with any type of cancer.
Loved ones need support, too, and many support groups exist for family members and caregivers. These people are on the flip side of the cancer coin. They need support for their feelings of anger, guilt, frustration, and caregiver burnout.
The Internet is a helpful tool for finding cancer support groups. Patients can also locate groups through their doctor, nurses, hospital social workers, or community organizations. Some patients prefer groups that meet in person, while others are more comfortable with online support. Either way, there exists a cancer support group to meet anyone’s needs.
Cancer patients, along with their family members and caregivers, often find support groups to be good therapy. But cancer support groups are not therapy groups, although psychologists and social workers may facilitate group meetings. They are more like community-based sharing groups, and each one develops a life of its own.
Whether they are cancer survivors, in remission, or going through treatment, all cancer patients have questions. And they all have numerous emotions to handle. They need a place to go for honest answers and emotional support. Cancer support groups are that place.
Support groups are empathetic communities of people who know cancer and understand the fears. Walking the cancer path is lonely, cold, and isolating. But support groups provide warm, understanding company for the journey.
Joining a cancer support group may be uncomfortable, or even scary. After all, the group members represent many different faces of cancer, and everyone must confront hard issues, including their own mortality. But support groups help validate the cancer experience and offer immeasurable support for the journey.
This validation and support is hugely important for cancer patients. It provides patients with a better grasp of their condition, and a better quality of life.
Interestingly, the survival rate may also be better for support group members than for those who undergo medical treatment alone. The American Cancer Society says many studies have been conducted to explore the effect of support groups on survivorship. While there were no hard-and-fast findings, it is evident that support groups complement medicine and help with treatment.
Some support groups are designed to help patients cope with a particular cancer. For example, Reach To Recovery supports breast cancer survivors, Man-to-Man helps men with prostate cancer, and there are even support groups out there for people diagnosed with a deadly disease like mesothelioma. Other groups, like Cancer Survivors Network, offer community and online support for people with any type of cancer.
Loved ones need support, too, and many support groups exist for family members and caregivers. These people are on the flip side of the cancer coin. They need support for their feelings of anger, guilt, frustration, and caregiver burnout.
The Internet is a helpful tool for finding cancer support groups. Patients can also locate groups through their doctor, nurses, hospital social workers, or community organizations. Some patients prefer groups that meet in person, while others are more comfortable with online support. Either way, there exists a cancer support group to meet anyone’s needs.
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