Cancer Support Groups Importance Among Patients

by David Haas 

When a person is diagnosed with cancer such as mesothelioma, it can be a frightening diagnosis to deal with by the individual. However, support groups are available that are extremely helpful while dealing with cancer. When the individual discovers others are going through similar experiences, the survivor realizes that he/she is not alone in the struggle with cancer.

Cancer Support Groups Offer Understanding

Support groups are a valuable tool for patients dealing with cancer because the people understand what the person is going through as they have gone through similar trials concerning the cancer. The groups offer an open forum for people to talk about their struggles with the others listening with compassion and understanding. When someone else has gone through a similar struggle, it can take away the feeling that the individual is alone with the cancer. Different support groups are offered which may deal with the specific type of cancer the individual is facing such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Cancer Support Groups Offer Hope

Cancer can be a difficult burden to carry. It can be tempting for the survivor to lose hope with the cancer diagnosis as well as the other struggles in the individual’s life. In a support group, people are there for each other to offer support and hope to one another, which can be particularly helpful for those facing the reality of a grim mesothelioma prognosis. The hope found with knowing others are dealing with a cancer diagnosis is helpful and offers continued strength while coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer Support Groups Offer Valuable Advice

People attending a support group offer a wide range of experiences as a result of the cancer. Through these experiences, each individual can play a key role in helping others by offering advice about what has helped them in their experience with cancer. Education, which is shared, can offer valuable insight to each member of the group. Valuable coping skills such as dealing with the medical profession and dealing with the cancer side effects and treatment can be offered to the group. This will help each individual grow and learn how to deal with the cancer in a productive manner.

It is often helpful to have other people to support an individual in dealing with a diagnosis of cancer such as mesothelioma. The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute provide valuable resources and additional information on support groups located in different areas of the country. There are a variety of formats which these support groups offer. While dealing with a cancer diagnosis, a support group can offer understanding and strength to each individual in the group.

David is a cancer patient advocate who wants to make a difference in their lives because cancer has devastated so many people in the world.