Survivorship Support Networks
A survivor’s support network includes every person who is involved in supporting the survivor from the point of diagnosis through the balance of life. The quality of a survivor’s support network is remarkably important because the support network is not only the source of emotional support, but it is also the survivor’s source of information about cancer and survivorship. It is very important that each survivor understand who is part of his or her support network and how to use the network to maximize the quality of survivorship.
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One of the most important formal support networks across the country is The Wellness Community. This video features a few TWC members talking about their experiences and how they have benefited from support groups.
Who is involved in a support network?
• Spouse
• Physician & other health care professionals
• Children
• Mental health professionals
• Family
• Friends
• Co-workers
• Financial planner
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Types of Support
Informational support
The treatment information a survivor receives from a physician.
Emotional support
A hug from one's child or talking with one's best friend.
Directly related to cancer and treatment
A nutritionist designing a diet plan during treatment or recovery.
Indirectly related to cancer and treatment
As a spouse or friend, consider taking a day off from work to spend time with a survivor.
Can support be negative?
A support network involves every person who is involved in supporting a survivor from the point of diagnosis through the balance of life. Understanding this, we can see how support could, in some situations, be negative.
When one support mechanism is negative for a survivor, it is very important that the survivor use other supporters in his or her network to compensate. For example, if marital problems develop with one’s spouse, it is incredibly important that the survivor look to his or her family, friends, and health professionals for the support formerly provided by the spouse.
What about formal survivorship support groups?
There are countless support groups available for cancer survivors. Some groups are general to all cancers, and some are specific to cancers. Other groups are specific to gender, age group, community background, etc. Bottom line, there are support groups out there for each and every survivor.
Support groups meet in-person, over the internet, on the telephone, and by email. Some groups have set group meeting times and places while others are open forums available when members are in need. Research recognized by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute suggests that all forms of the support groups are helpful to cancer survivors as a group, but each cancer survivor needs to examine each format to decide what is most helpful to him or her.
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