BREAST CANCER SUPPORTING: POSITIVE EFFECT SUPPORT GROUP
David Spiegel, a psychiatrist at Stanford University, published an important study in 1989 about the positive effect of support groups on the longevity of women with breast cancer. Although his groups were all for women who had metastatic breast cancer, he found that those women who were in support groups lived longer than those who were not. Although these studies have not been duplicated in women with early breast cancer, even in the absence of solid data, it seems reasonable to think the conclusions would be similar. Many studies have documented the positive impact of good social supports for individuals with all kinds of cancer, and there is no social support better than the right group.
There are a number of places to ask about groups. The suggestions we made earlier about how to find a therapist would all apply here, too. Additionally, programs such as the Wellness Community or Gilda’s Place offer a number of support groups. Ask whether the groups are professionally led or are peer support groups. Ask who the participants are, and particularly ask about their stage of illness. It is our bias that no one’s needs are best served by being in a group comprised of women who are dealing with all stages of breast cancer. You would be unnecessarily frightened, as women who are very ill are dealing with different issues than those you currently face.
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