What are support groups and how can they help me? If I decide to try out a group, how do I locate one right for me?
People with cancer and their family members often find that talking to other people who are also affected by cancer helps them understand that they are not alone. They may learn new ways of coping and be relieved to be able to discuss their concerns openly with someone who has had similar experiences and understands.
There are different types of support groups. Some agencies, such as CancerCare, Inc., and the American Cancer Society, offer traditional groups as well as innovative groups that are conducted on the Internet and on the telephone. These latter two types of groups are particularly helpful to people who are not comfortable meeting many new people, for those who simply do not feel well enough to travel from their homes, and for those who live too far away from group meetings.
Professionals facilitate some groups, while cancer survivor volunteers or family members of patients (for groups intended for family) lead other groups. Therapy groups are intended to treat a specific psychological problem, such as clinical depression, and are usually led by a mental health professional. Support groups focus on sharing experiences, providing emotional sup-port to people as well as helping to reduce distress and relieve isolation.
Educational groups, on the other hand, are used to provide information to a large group of people, such as different coping techniques, relaxation training, and management of medical issues. This kind of group focuses less on people sharing their feelings and may be good for those who do not want to attend a traditional support group, but would still benefit from interaction with others. Support and education-focused groups can be led by a variety of professionals and/or survivor volunteers. For help locating support groups, speak with your medical team and/or social worker, or consult our resource list at the back of this book. The American Cancer Society can be particularly helpful in directing you to local groups.
Questions to ask when investigating a group:
1. Does a professional lead this group? Or does a volunteer facilitate it?
2. Do I have to commit to a certain number of sessions?
3. What date does the group start? How long is each session?
4. Where does the group meet, and may I have directions to the meeting?
5. Is there a cost to attend this group? If so, do you accept my insurance?
6. What topics are covered? Is this a group for people with specific problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, family concerns)?
7. Does this group focus on a specific cancer diagnosis?
8. Are family members/caregivers invited to attend?