BREAST CANCER SUPPORTING: SUPPORT GROUP
We believe that participating in a breast cancer support group can be the very best way to help yourself. No one can understand what you are going through as well as others on the same journey. Many women are resistant to the idea of joining a group because they fear that hearing others’ experiences will make them depressed or frightened. Other women who have never been part of a support or therapy group before may be uncertain of what to expect or may feel uncomfortable with the idea in general. Choosing the right group can be just as important as choosing the right doctors. There are different philosophies about group composition, but we feel strongly that you should look for a group for women newly diagnosed or currently in first-time treatment. In her practice, Hester facilitates several different breast cancer support groups designed to meet the needs of women at different points in the experience. The group for newly diagnosed women is an excellent place to feel understood and less alone, to gather a lot of information about treatment choices or coping with side effects, and to talk about job issues and family concerns. In the right group, while there should be ample opportunity for the expression of all kinds of feelings, on balance, there will be more laughter than tears.
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