Find Cancer Support Groups on the Web

By Kyle Roderick
ThirdAge Staff

Cancer patients looking for support groups to help them battle the disease may find two sorts of help on the Net. "Disease-specific communities online" are largely moderated by professionals. More freeform self-help groups are made up of patient peers.

Many cancer survivors say both these groups can make a crucial difference in recovery. "By going online," T.J. Smith of Sacramento, Calif., says, "I found several cancer support groups where I received valuable information about my disease [melanoma]."

"On the Web, you get information fast that you can act on right away," Smith explains. "There's only so much information that you can squeeze out of your doctor before he or she is ready to see their next patient," says breast cancer survivor Jackie Liebermann of Los Angeles, Calif. "The more information you have, the better you can make decisions about treatment and alternative remedies that can improve quality of life," says Tim Underwood of Nevada City, Calif., who also survived melanoma.

Smith praises the Cancer Hope Network. She says, "I found a lot of emotional and practical help, as this is where cancer patients and their families can obtain free, one-to-one support from trained volunteers who have themselves undergone a similar experience." Cancer Hope Network also offers online referrals to cancer- and treatment-specific organizations.

Smith also derived strength and comfort from the Cancer Survivors Network. It features discussion areas, a database covering 33 types of cancer, extensive resources recommended by survivors and personal Web pages of cancer patients. Another excellent resource for breast cancer patients is The Cancer Information Network.

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