SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups have become an important and widely available resource for people living with breast cancer. In general, support groups are designed to increase the support network of people living with cancer. However, support groups vary in terms of their focus. Some are "information-based" educational groups, while others are "emotion-focused" and allow people to share their feelings. Both types play crucial roles in the recovery process following diagnosis and treatment. Some of these groups are led by professionals, while others are more informal, taking place in churches or people's homes. Some groups may have only weekly or monthly meetings, while others are much more involved, adding complementary therapies, such as meditation and visualization, into their sessions.

Clearly, there is no one model for a successful support group. What is most important is that people who are interested in a support group find the one that best matches their needs and personal circumstances. Most support groups, either by design or convenience, are geared toward people who are in a specific stage of dealing with their cancer. For example, the American Cancer Society and many other health-related organizations offer support groups specifically for those who have been recently diagnosed. Other groups are designed for those undergoing chemotherapy, or those in a specific age group or those dealing with a fear of recurrent breast cancer.

To help ensure a positive group experience, it is important to find a support group that fits a person’s individual needs. For more information on how to find a local support group, visit the American Cancer Society’s In My Community page. Our Breast Care Helpline at 1-800 I’M AWARE (1-800-462-9273) can also help people find local support groups and other resources.

Online support groups are also growing in membership and activity [20]. Similar to face-to-face groups, these online resources provide a chance for people to exchange information, offer and receive social support and gain a sense of personal empowerment. For men with breast cancer, the disease is so rare that online support groups are likely the best way to share experiences with men in similar situations. The Association of Cancer Online Resources and CancerCare are good sources for finding an online support group.

It is also important to remember that although support groups can be a powerful force for healing, they don’t suit everyone. For instance, support groups that are "emotion-focused" are useful for people who are comfortable expressing their emotions and fears about breast cancer in a group setting. Persons may reach this stage at different times in their recovery, or not at all. Some prefer to keep these emotions to themselves, or to share them only with close family and friends. In addition to requiring emotional energy, most support groups require a commitment of time.