Cancer affects far more than the body: patients’ psychological and emotional health must also be considered. Cancer patients may be abruptly forced to face their frailty or mortality, which can cause severe anxiety and stress. Patients may also experience side effects from drugs used to treat their cancer such as insomnia, nausea or sexual dysfunction.
At Texas Oncology, we focus on the whole person, and we also consider the needs of your family members, caregivers and co-workers. We give patients access to numerous local and nationwide support programs that can provide information, guidance, and an unparalleled understanding of living with cancer.
The purpose of a support group is to help patients in similar situations share their experiences, get tips and ideas from others, and learn more about solving their cancer-related problems. Support groups are available for patients with various types of cancer and are open to both patients and family members. Some believe that this type of group provides the best access to experts apart from people who have actually been through the cancer experience themselves. Often, the leaders of our support groups have been or are currently cancer patients themselves.
Only you can decide if a support group will be helpful in your battle against cancer. The nature of your challenges will dictate your choice about whether to join a support group: some problems and concerns are best addressed in groups, and others may seem too personal to share. Talk with your Texas Oncology medical team about your preferences, and they will connect you with the right resources for you and your family.
Many national cancer organizations offer support groups for patients and loved ones. The American Cancer Society offers the following programs in many communities:
- I Can Cope
- Look Good...Feel Better
- Man to Man
- Reach to Recovery
- Road to Recovery
Contact the American Cancer Society office listed in your local telephone directory, or call 1-800-ACS-2345, to find out what services are available in your area.
The following links connect you with more information regarding support groups. Please note that the information available through these links is not provided by Texas Oncology, and Texas Oncology does not necessarily endorse this information. All information provided through these links is for your reference only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician before acting or relying upon such information.