Mesothelioma Cancer Support

Many mesothelioma patients and their caregivers find that support groups are very beneficial as they fight mesothelioma cancer. Support groups are composed of other patients and their families who are dealing with the stresses of a cancer diagnosis. They offer a venue for patients to share their stories, their emotions and their stresses with peers and build a support network of people who can empathize with their battles.

Although some support groups may be led by professionals, they are not designed to offer medical advice, but rather to give patients and their families a place to give and receive encouragement, personal advice, coping strategies, share resources, and discuss experiences with treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.

A number of studies have been done to examine to benefits of support groups to patients battling terminal illnesses like mesothelioma. This research has shown that patients and their families who participate in support groups experience lower levels of anger, depression and anxiety than those who do not.

Support group options are available in many different formats ranging from in person groups to online groups, making it easy to find and join a group that will best meet your individual needs. Most support groups allow patients to attend group sessions as often as they would like, and do not pressure attendees to return if you are not comfortable or if the group has not met your needs.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer and you would like to learn more about the disease and support group options, CLICK HERE to speak to an experienced mesothelioma specialist.

Interested in joining a support group?

Mesothelioma patients who are interested in joining a support group have many options to choose from. It is important to first consider what you would like to get out of your support group experience. Many support groups are designed to cater to current patients, others may be exclusively for caregivers or survivors. Some groups are meant to offer spiritual or emotional support while some may be centered on education or research.

Once you have determined what type of support group you are interested in joining, you can then consider what format will work best for you. Many in person groups are offered at local cancer centers, while others are more informal – meeting in coffee shops, churches or homes. Groups are also available via telephone and internet, making support groups accessible for nearly every patient.