Support groups are an important and widely available resource for people living with breast cancer. Although support groups are designed to increase the support network of the participants, they vary in their focus. Some are "information-based" educational groups, while others are "emotion-focused" and allow people to share their feelings. Both types play a role in the recovery process following diagnosis and treatment. Some groups are led by professionals, while others are more informal and take place in churches or homes. Some support groups may also include complementary therapies, such as meditation, into their sessions. Most support groups require some commitment of time, usually meeting monthly or weekly.
Clearly, there is no one successful support group model. What is most important is that you find one that best meets your needs. Most support groups, either by design or convenience, are geared toward people who are in a certain stage of dealing with their breast cancer. For example, the American Cancer Society and many other health-related organizations offer support groups for people who have been recently diagnosed. Other groups are designed for those undergoing chemotherapy, or those in a certain age group or those dealing with fear of recurrent breast cancer. There are also support groups for family and loved ones. 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 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) can also help you find local resources.
Online support groups are also available through many organizations, such as The Wellness Community. Similar to face-to-face groups, online support groups provide a chance to share information, give and receive social support and gain a sense of empowerment. For men, breast cancer is so rare that it may be difficult to find a local support group. So, online support groups are a good way to share experiences with other men in similar situations. The Association of Cancer Online Resources and CancerCare are good sources for finding an online support group. Although support groups can be a powerful force for healing, they aren’t for everyone. Support groups that are "emotion-focused" are useful for people who are comfortable expressing their feelings and fears about breast cancer in a group setting. People reach this stage at different times in their recovery, or not at all. Some prefer to keep their feelings to themselves or to share them only with close family and friends, and that is just fine. Everyone has different needs. It is most important to find a healthy support system that works best for you.
Updated 09/12/09
