Cancer Support Groups
If I'm a caregiver to a cancer patient, should I join a cancer support group?
A cancer support group would be a group of people that are going through some sort of treatment for cancer. I would caution you to get in a group where people have a similar diagnosis and similar treatment plan, because then you're talking about the same thing. I think it can be really helpful. I've seen so many people pair up and go through the cancer together. And actually it turns out being a buddy system. They have fun, they compare their scars and compare their reactions, and I think a cancer support group is really a healthy thing.
Can a cancer support group help me?
As a cancer patient, a cancer support group would show you other people that are going through a similar situation. You would hear how they're doing, and actually, I think encouraging them helps you. I've seen so many people make friends and it's really very sweet to see them go through the cancer together and it becomes a lifelong bond.
How can I find a cancer support group?
I would say your doctors office often has material on cancer support groups and they might even have meetings through that group. But they certainly will know of cancer support groups, and also online resources for cancer support.
What can I do if there aren't any cancer support groups in my area?
If there aren't any cancer support groups in your area, I think you should turn to your family members or someone that has gone through a cancer experience, and see if that someone could refer you to someone and they'd be willing to talk to you about your cancer experience. There is also your pastor or rabbi. I think cancer has touched everyone's life today and someone would be able to help you find someone that you could connect with. I think it's just a matter of being willing to ask for help and realizing people want to help you because then there able pass on their experience with dealing with cancer.
How can I start a cancer support group?
I would think if you were able to start the cancer support group at the place where you had treatment, at the oncology group, or at the surgical group or at the hospital, and use their facilities as an outreach place, you would be able to then have cancer patients that were going through treatment. You would be able to offer your services, and you could tell them what your experience with cancer had been and be there just to encourage them. You would want to keep the focus on the cancer patient and certainly make an attempt not to discuss anything that would put up any barriers. The focus is on the patient. If you have any differences of opinion you just don't go there. It's all about them and them surviving their cancer treatment.
How often should I go to my cancer support group?
I think a lot of it has to do with how much energy you have, and it might just be impossible to visit your cancer support group lots while you're going through treatment. Then it might just be a phone call with someone, or it might be online. Online works fine because you can do it in the middle of the night when you're awake. I think the amount of times you go to your cancer support group is purely up to the individual, but I think very often it's when you're finished with treatment, because while you're in treatment you're actively fighting the cancer. And when you're done with treatment there's some feeling like, OK, now you're just waiting and that's when you might want to be in a cancer support group.
Is it best to join a support group that specializes in my kind of cancer?
Absolutely it is best to join a cancer support group that specialises in your type of cancer. Because then you're generally dealing with the same reactions to drugs and the same surgeries and the same treatment plan. I would say to definitely look for a group that's treating the same kind of cancer.
Is it possible cancer support groups aren't helpful for everyone?
No, cancer support groups are always helpful. However I do think there are different kinds of cancer support groups and I think it may be you are not a group person, but maybe you would be a one-on-one person and that might just be going to a therapist and someone that understands cancer. It doesn't have to even be another cancer patient but someone who is familiar with treating cancer patients. Maybe it is just talking to a family friend who has been through it. I think that cancer support is really important.
What are some ways people can contribute to cancer support groups?
Money is a great way to support cancer support groups as there's money for research. There's fund-raisers are working all the time. You're always looking for the cures, so financial support is integral. If you can't make financial contributions, time is really valuable. If you can donate your time to a cancer support group, maybe it's just making coffee in the lobby of a treatment place, then that's huge. So if you can offer a little time to a cancer support group, if you can say you'll go by once a week and bring coffee and cookies, it's huge.
