Coping With Cancer Using the Support of Others
Patients who have been newly diagnosed with cancer will experience a variety of emotions including disbelief, anger and fear. From the moment the doctor gives the news, patients may feel lost and hopeless with no idea of what to do next.
Cancer patients do not have to deal with these feelings alone. They can find a good cancer survivor network, which will provide them with encouragement and useful information to help them cope. According to Duke University, cancer patients who have good support groups have less depression, stress and anxiety than patients without a network.
By interacting with group members, cancer patients get support and information from those who understand their situation. Patients will likely have a lot of questions about treatment. Support group members can talk about their experiences with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and any oral medications the doctor prescribed. Group members can provide information on side effects of treatment and how to deal with them.
Seeing how other group members are coping with treatment can give patients the strength they need to deal with their own medical issues related to cancer. When groups have members in different stages of dealing with cancer, this can be uplifting. For those going through treatment, it can relieve some fear of dying to have group members who have successfully completed treatment or who are in remission.
Support groups are helpful for patients with all sorts of cancer. While common cancers like breast cancer have many support groups, it’s especially important for support groups to exist for rare types of cancer such as mesothelioma. A support group is even more crucial for this rare cancer. This form of cancer has a low survival rate, so it is beneficial for patients to have the encouragement and support of others who are dealing with the disease.
Online support groups can also provide encouragement and information that cancer patients need. Internet support groups can be in the form of message boards or chat rooms. Online support groups allow a cancer victim to reach out and access their support group at any time of day. The Internet can provide around the clock support with its easy, flexible access.
Patients in cancer support groups report having a better quality of life than those who are not in groups. Patients or medical professionals may manage support groups. When doctors facilitate groups, patients get important medical information about dealing with cancer in addition to encouragement from group members.
By: David Haas
