Stand By Me - Choosing the Right Support Group During and After Cancer

Every diagnosis is different. Each patient copes with the news of a cancer diagnosis in their own way; they seek different means of physical treatment and emotional support to help them power through this difficult obstacle.

Hospitals offer support groups for cancer patients that allow them to share their experience with each other. Traditionally, the only type of support group offered to patients and survivors was organized in the hospital and was structured much like a classroom; patients and survivors are arranged around a table and talk their cancers and experiences. Verbalizing feelings, concerns and experiences does serve a therapeutic function and helps patients connect to others going through similar trials. Today, attendance in traditional support groups is declining because people are seeking a more interactive form of support.

Patients and survivors are looking for activity-based groups that they can participate in with others that understand their situation as a new form of support group. By placing the focus of these interactive support groups on the next stage of their lives, instead of dwelling on their current state, the goal becomes about what they can accomplish instead of what they are lacking.

Exercise groups specially geared towards the needs of cancer patients and survivors are taking the place of traditional support groups. Not only do exercise classes help to strengthen the muscles that are effected by cancer treatments, they also encourage participants through active achievements. By meeting the expectations of the class participants begin to rebuild self-confidence and gain self-awareness.

Exercise is also a great element to learn to incorporate into post cancer lifestyles. Maintaining healthy habits can dramatically impact how patients and survivors respond to post cancer lifestyle elements both emotionally and physically.