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Support Groups

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Mesothelioma Support Groups

Being afflicted with mesothelioma can be a challenge for anyone, whether it is the patient or their family and friends who also cope with the diagnosis. New treatments and medications are being developed to help patients, but mesothelioma can be a painful cancer with the potential to claim life around a year after being diagnosed. For family, friends and caregivers, watching a loved one go through mesothelioma cancer is often an overwhelming task, one that should not be taken alone.

Fortunately, a wonderful network of mesothelioma support groups is available to patients around the country. Support groups can help patients and family members cope with the disease and the treatment process, offering comfort during a time of duress.

Facing cancer alone can have an adverse affect on the treatment process and potentially prognosis due to added stress. Patients and their family members must understand that seeking help is a sign of strength and self-love, not weakness, and that support groups can provide assistance in a number of unique ways.

In-Person Mesothelioma Support Groups

Support groups for cancer and all forms of disease have been employed by patients, friends and family for added comfort and understanding during a time of need. Unfortunately, some people are hesitant to reach out to support groups for a number of reasons that often involve some sort of fear. Yet statistics reveal that groups provide people with the emotional support they need when they or someone they love is coping with pleural mesothelioma.

In-person support groups for pleural mesothelioma patients can be found in areas with a high concentration of patients afflicted with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related disease. Some of these places include industrial areas where asbestos exposure was common, such as communities with shipyards, power plants, metal works or automobile plants.

Many support groups are sponsored by oncologists who specialize in mesothelioma or cancer centers that treat the disease. The American Cancer Society chapters around the country may also sponsor support groups in some areas. Some support groups might be sponsored by organizations that advocate for the mesothelioma sufferer as well.

The most knowledgeable way to find a pleural mesothelioma support group is to ask your healthcare team if they are familiar with a support group in the area. If there is not a support group in your location, you can consider forming one of your own with the help of nearby medical professionals. Seeking online support groups is also an option for patients who do not live in an area with in-person support groups.

Online Mesothelioma Support Groups

Patients who do not have ready access to in-person groups should consider the numerous online support groups available to pleural mesothelioma sufferers. Online support groups come in the form of chat rooms, forums or blogs involving pleural mesothelioma. These online resources are more often than not maintained by someone dealing with a similar situation.

Patients and families can join these Web-based support groups for free and exchange information and ideas about the treatment process, preferred doctors, clinical trials, emotional issues and new therapies. If you are asked to pay for access to any online support group, look for another group that offers support for free. One of the benefits of online support groups is accessibility – the Web is accessible at any time or day when a patient may need to seek support.

A number of support groups are presented by cancer centers or nonprofit organizations, while others are sponsored by mesothelioma patient advocacy groups. Certain groups may provide online workshops, seminars or other educational forums to address the support needs of mesothelioma patients and their caregivers.

The following list includes a selection of popular online support groups for pleural mesothelioma patients, family members and friends:

Cancer Care - This organization provides online and telephone counseling, educational resources and sources for financial assistance. www.cancercare.org
The Wellness Community - Offering online support groups as well as resources to help patients locate a face-to-face support group near them, The Wellness Community provides a range of assistance. www.thewellnesscommunity.org
I Can Cope – This Website is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and provides online support programs and services. www.caner.org
Association of Cancer Online Resources – This inclusive site offers online resources for support and varied information for cancer patients. www.acor.org
Gilda’s Club – A national organization, Gilda’s Club provides counseling and various resources for cancer patients, their families and caregivers. www.gildasclub.org

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