Support Groups for People with Cancer

There are support groups available for nearly every form of cancer. The purpose of support groups is to offer support, advice, education and a safe place to discuss with other survivors the trials and tribulations of overcoming the disease. There are many forms of support groups for people with cancer and for caretakers of those people. The most widely known are the support groups offered through the cancer organizations.

Cancer Survivors Network

• The Cancer Survivors Network offers its members a secure place to share stories and find and offer support from others living with cancer. Workshops and events are offered to members. The Network has included several resources for the cancer survivor, a listing of clinical trials, community resources, a treatment-decision tool and a chat support. You must be a member to log into the forums and to use the chat tool, but other resources are available including those for caregivers.

  Cancer Survivor's Network
  c/o American Cancer Society
  250 Williams St., Ste. 600
  Atlanta, GA. 30303
  Toll Free Phone: [phone]
  Fax:  [phone]
  csn.cancer.org

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

• The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers a listing of local groups and an online community for breast cancer survivors. The group categories include Survivors, Supporters, Regions, and EDP (Early Detection Plan) Sponsors. The resources available to members and supporters include a resource library, online discussion forum, fund raisers, ways to donate and events to get involved in. If you do not find a group local to you, consider beginning one.

  National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
  2600 Network Blvd., Suite 300
  Frisco, TX 75034
  www.nationalbreastcancer.org

American Cancer Society

• The American Cancer Society's website lists several other types of support groups available to cancer survivors. The support groups available include "Reach to Recovery," "Road to Recovery," "I Can Cope," "Man to Man," "Look Good.... Feel Better for Teens," and many more. The drop-down menu will allow you to select any one of the ten programs. The support groups through the American Cancer Society may include cancer education, health information, offer support, teach coping skills for anxiety and depression and give the cancer survivor a place to share his or her story with other survivors.

  American Cancer Society
  250 Williams St., Ste. 600
  Atlanta, GA. 30303
  Toll Free Phone: [phone]
  Fax:  [phone]
  www.cancer.org