Experience, functions and benefits of a cancer support group

Coping, Anxiety and Depression in Turkish Patients with Cancer

“…A negative correlation was also found between social support, depression, and anxiety in the study of Tagay et al It has been reported that patients who receive adequate support from family and friends present with better disease-compliance and manifest less depressive symptoms (20,21). It has also been reported that patients who share their cancer experiences with others develop effective coping strategies and have better psychological disease compliance (3,46). In their study, Hassanein et al, have stated that there is a negative correlation between coping strategies and depression.…”

Cancer support group participation in the United Kingdom: a national survey

“…A qualitative study involving focus group discussions with 27 members from three self-help groups in the West Midlands described most participants as well-educated, middle-aged and middle-class women. Considerable individual variation was reported in the value derived from participation, but key benefits were practical assistance, emotional support and realistic information relating to the 'normal' course of the illness [17]. Finally, a comparison of 63 participants of a support group in East Anglia with 44 non-participants recruited through a cancer registry suggested that participants were more likely to be female (84% vs. 61%) and were slightly younger (61 vs. 65 years), but were similar on other demographic and clinical variables.…”

Patients' Knowledge and Attitudes towards Cancer Peer Support Programs

“…By collecting qualitative data with a staggered design about both expectations and concerns, we gained a deeper understanding and could draw first conclusions to improve public relations on cancer peer support. The need for psychosocial support differs from patient to patient [11]. However, peer support programs are mostly evaluated positively by their participants [5,10] and show many positive effects [3].…”