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Ostenson Cancer Center - Types of Cancer
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Support Groups
Support groups offer invaluable resources in dealing with both the physical challenges of cancer as well as the emotional impact of the disease. Family members and caretakers can also benefit from the relief and friendship these groups provide.
A good support group welcomes each person and allows them room to take part, or just listen to others. The leader sets a tone of acceptance, gives equal opportunity to participate, keeps focus on the group’s purpose, and guards against any harmful interaction. Groups can have an informational format, an emotional support focus, a socializing emphasis, or combination of all three. Groups can be narrowly focused by sex, age, role or illness. Other groups may be for mixed ages, sex or issue. Groups should give the attendees a chance to be open and honest in their expression and find like-minded individuals in similar situations who can help you with their journey. If you don’t fit with the first group you try, be sure to try another. It may be helpful to call the sponsoring agency/leader and get some idea of how the group functions.
The following pages include most of the cancer/caregiver/survivor groups in the Pierce County area. The American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345) will have the most up-to-date group contacts or specializations.
The Internet can also be a beneficial resource. The American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute have “official” sites, and there are also several personal support sites. (Be sure to use good judgment in visiting personal websites, since they can sometimes be biased.)