Support Group For Breast Cancer

Nationally Ranked Accredited Care

Awarded by the American College of Surgeons after a standard three-year review

• AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale
• AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village
• AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago
• AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital Evanston
• AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago
• AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin
• AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet
• AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago
• AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates
• AMITA Health St. Marys Hospital Kankakee

Outstanding Achievement Award

This honor from the American College of Surgeons is achieved by fewer than 10% of cancer programs nationwide

• AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village
• AMITA Health Cancer Institute Hinsdale
• AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates
• AMITA Health St. Marys Hospital Kankakee

Ensures the highest standards of care for patients with diseases of the breast

• AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center Hinsdale
• AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village
• AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago
• AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital Evanston
• AMITA Health Mark M. Connolly Center for Cancer and Specialty Care at AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago
• AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates
• AMITA Health St. Marys Hospital Kankakee

Certified Quality Breast Center

Where Do Support Groups Meet

Support groups can meet in person or online. Both types of support groups can be helpful and you may choose to do one or the other, or both.

In-person support groups can meet in a variety of places, including cancer centers, local hospitals, or community facilities. This type of support group provides people with the opportunity to have direct contact with other group members. You may be able to reach out to someone in advance to learn more about what a typical meeting is like.

Online support groups can be a convenient option when an in-person group is too far away or travel is not advised due to health reasons. Or, some people find it easier to share feelings with others in a virtual setting. Online support groups may also allow people with a rare type of cancer to more easily communicate with others who have the same type of cancer.

There are different types of online support groups, including:

Read more about online communities for support, including online privacy considerations.

Our Oncology Navigators Are With You Every Step Of The Way

We understand that medical treatment of breast cancer involves more than doctors visits. From psychological and nutritional counseling to pastoral care and breast cancer support groups our breast cancer patient navigators coordinate a complementary range of breast cancer programs for patients and their families.

You can rely on our dedicated navigators to organize your cancer treatment services, so you are free to focus on your health and healing. Each is a specialist in breast cancer patient needs, and your personal resource to access a range of traditional and non-traditional therapies.

Our compassionate team of specialists delivers all of our tailored services and programs. In addition to one-on-one therapies, RWJBarnabas Health offers virtual and in-person classes and events for patients and their loved ones, including:

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What Can You Do To Support A Woman With Breast Cancer

You can offer practical support like cleaning the house or getting the kids from school. You can also provide emotional support by listening to her express her feelings and attending treatment sessions with her. It will also be helpful to visit her doctor with her and be the one to ask questions and take notes during the appointment.

Breast Cancer Patient Support Group

Online

Our breast cancer patient support group provides a safe space to connect with others coping with breast cancer and is led by an oncology social worker who provides emotional and practical support.

Marlee Kiel, LMSW, one of CancerCare‘s online support group moderators

Marlee Kiel, LMSW, one of CancerCare‘s online support group moderators

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Finding The Right Fit

Its important to make sure that the support group you choose meets your needs. Being surrounded by people who lift you up and comfort you can be very helpful during your cancer journey. But if your fellow group members are negative and pessimistic, they can bring you down and make you feel even worse.

Here are a few red flags that may mean your support group isnt a good fit:

How Can Cancer Support Groups Help

When you are diagnosed with cancer, you may experience shock, anger, or disbelief. You may feel intense sadness, fear, and a sense of loss. Even the most supportive family members and friends cannot understand exactly how it feels unless they have received a cancer diagnosis themselves. This may cause you to feel lonely, misunderstood, or isolated.

Finding a support group is a way for you to interact with other people who have similar, first-hand experiences with cancer. You can talk to them about their experiences and share your own. This can help reduce stress. In a cancer support group, members can feel more comfortable sharing feelings and experiences that may be too difficult or too awkward to share with their family and friends. Being part of a group often creates a sense of belonging that helps each person feel more understood and less alone.

You can also discuss practical information in a support group. This may include what to expect during treatment, how to manage specific side effects, how to find support services, and how to communicate with health care providers and family members. Talking about these topics within the support group could provide a sense of control and reduce feelings of helplessness as you cope with cancer.

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What Happens In Breast Cancer Support Groups

Most times, a breast cancer support group has a group leader who is often a professional like a psychologist, pastor, or oncology social worker. Other times, groups are moderated by breast cancer survivors.

Once you find a support group to join, you may want to study how the group works. Some people find it easier sharing their experience than others. It is totally acceptable if you choose to listen more than talk.

Support For Young Women

Just as men with breast cancer have unique needs, young women with breast cancer face a number of issues unique to young women. And as with men, there are many ways in which the disease can be different.

Young women are more likely to have aggressive tumorstumors which are hormone receptor negative and have a worse prognosis overall. Treatments, in turn, often differ, with options such as chemotherapy playing a larger role with metastatic breast cancer than for older women with the disease.

Finding a support community with other young people can be very helpful. Some options include:

• Young Survival Coalition is an organization dedicated to women who are age 40 or younger coping with breast cancer.
• Stupid Cancer is a group of young adults with any type of cancer. It is very active in supporting people with needs unique to young survivors.

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Is A Support Group Right For Me

Although support groups can be a powerful source of support, they arent for everyone.

Those focused on emotional support are useful for people who are comfortable expressing their feelings and fears about breast cancer in a group setting. People reach this stage at different times in their recovery, or not at all.

Some people are more comfortable talking one-on-one with a counselor or therapist.

Others prefer to keep their feelings to themselves or to share them only with close family and friends.

Everyone has different needs. Its important to find a healthy support system that works for you.

You Dont Have To Face Breast Cancer Alone

Having the support of others is an important part of breast cancer survivorship. Research actually shows that taking part in support groups, where you both give and receive help, is an effective way to reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with a breast cancer diagnosis. Its OK to ask for support, and there are many groups out there willing to provide it to you at no cost.

Below are some free resources you can use to connect with a breast cancer support group. They include both online and in-person communities, where you can talk with a group or one-on-one. Some focus on certain life stages, while others help you recover from specific experiences. All of them are designed to get you the help you need so you can move forward with your life.

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We Bridge The Gap Between The Financial Reality Faced By Breast Cancer Patients And The Limited Financial Assistance Availablethe Funds We Raise Directly Support Breast Cancer Patientswe Encourage You To Donate Today Every Donation Has A Significant Impact On A Very Vulnerable Community

Who We Help

Join us on Thursday October 6th for an intimate evening of fabulous food, cocktails and entertainment!Sassafraz ~ 100 Cumberland 7pm – midnight

For the second year, the Peach Party is set to become one of Torontos most anticipated social events of the season. The goal is to raise $150,000 to support the Breast Cancer Support Fund, and specifically those breast cancer patients on their journey to wellness by providing much needed short-term financial support.

We hope that you will join us, and Torontos most generous philanthropists, celebrities, taste makers, cultural leaders and socially conscious individuals as we support the financial needs of those fighting the battle of a lifetime.

THE VENUE: Sassafraz, a beloved local Toronto landmark, for an intimate evening of fabulous food, cocktails,

and entertainment, where guests will be transported to a Peach Party like nothing theyve ever seen before.

Its Peach Berserk!

TICKETS ~ Early Bird tickets are $195 until September 10th. A $75 tax receipt is provided with every ticket purchased.

General Admission is $245 after September 10th.

Enjoy the evening in a private lounge with delicious food and delightful cocktails brought to you. The evening will include entertainment and a silent auction so come prepared to participate!

Women Share Their Stories

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it effects the whole family and touches everyone in her life.

NEW!

WHO WE HELP

Which Group Is Right For You

If youre looking at different kinds of groups, youll notice that many overlap in what they offer. For example, there may be emotional support available in a few different kinds of groups, such as a private Facebook group or a facilitated video meetup. A general cancer support group may offer great connection and shared experiences of feelings about diagnosis, treatment, and relationship issues. But sometimes you may be looking for more specific support thats just for people diagnosed with breast cancer. And some people decide to join more than one group. See what feels right to you.

Whatever group you decide to try, it should offer at least one of these benefits:

• Information
• Stress management strategies or relaxation techniques
• Empowerment
• Tools to help you adapt to change
• Ways to manage fear or anxiety
• Support for your loved ones and caregivers

If you join a support group, here are some things to keep in mind when others are sharing information and experiences:

Research shows that when people acknowledge feelings, avoid isolation, and feel a sense of control, they can experience improved health and quality of life. There is also evidence showing that structured groups for people diagnosed with cancer can help psychological well-being, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve coping. While support groups may not be for everyone, for some people, they can bring ongoing supportive connection.

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What Types Of Cancer Support Groups Are There

There are different kinds of support groups that offer support in different ways. Try to find a group that works best for your needs. Types of support groups include:

Peer-led or self-help groups. These support groups are run by group members.

Professional-led support groups. A counselor, social worker, psychologist, or other trained professional may lead the conversation among the members.

Informational support groups. These groups are led by a professional facilitator. They provide cancer-related information and education. These groups often invite speakers, such as doctors and nurses, who provide expert advice.

Groups may also be designed for specific audiences, including:

• All individuals with cancer

• People with a specific type of cancer

• People within a certain age group

• People who have a specific stage of cancer

• Caregivers, such as family members and friends

From Our Group Members

I always felt comfortable to share my feelings and thoughts because I know the group is a safe place. The group was a place I could go when I was feeling down but knew the group could help me turn things around.Angela

Having other survivors to talk to, who understand what you are going through, is very helpful. You cant always talk to your partner or friends, since they are not the patient – their experience of your cancer is different. Putting your anxieties on them is not always fair – but someone else who has been through the same thing gets it.Wendy

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How To Find Others With Mbc

The other difficulty can be finding others who are facing metastatic breast cancer. On Twitter, you can use the hashtag #bcsm which stands for breast cancer social media. Searching with this hashtag can introduce you to the latest news coming out of conferences , and many posts include images of slides.

To focus on metastatic breast cancer, you can try the hashtag #metastaticBC or #metastaticbreastcancer. Some people also post using the combination of #metastatic and #breastcancer.

Additionally, there are tweet chats held every other week in which patients, caregivers, advocates, oncologists, surgeons, researchers, and more all communicate on the same level.

What Are Support Groups

Support groups are groups of people in similar life situations who meet on a regular basis to share their concerns. A support group is a safe place to exchange ideas about how to handle difficult issues. Support groups can meet regularly in person, by telephone, or online.

Support groups can be organized in different ways:

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  Open membership: Open membership means that members can come and go freely, and long-term commitment is not required. If you’re going through treatment and your schedule isn’t consistent, this may be the type of group for you.

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  Closed membership: Closed membership means that registration and commitment to a certain number of sessions is required. Once a specific number of people have signed up, the group is closed to new members. This helps members to establish consistency and to get to know each other better.

Some of the benefits of breast cancer support groups include:

Breastcancer.org’s Discussion Boards, Virtual Community Meetups, and local organizations such as You Night Empowering Events help people find support and community after a breast cancer diagnosis.

In this video, Deidra talks about the value of joining a support group and forming bonds with other women whose lives have been changed by cancer. This video made possible through the generous support of the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery.

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How Do I Choose A Support Group

To decide which type of support group may fit you best, consider your needs, personality, and practical considerations like technology or meeting set-up:

• Are you hoping to gain emotional support, information and education about cancer, or a combination from your participation?

• Do you prefer to connect with others who have been diagnosed with the same type of cancer and/or at the same stage of disease?

• Are you more comfortable sharing your feelings and experiences in person or online?

• How often does the group meet? When? For how long?

• If it is in person, where does it meet? How is a typical meeting run?

• If it is online, what technology is used? How is information shared between group members?

• Who leads or organizes the group?

Finding A Support Group

No support group model is right for everyone. Find one thats right for you.

Most support groups are tailored to meet the needs of people of a certain age or at a certain stage of breast cancer. For example, many hospitals and local health organizations offer support groups for people who have been recently diagnosed. Other groups are designed for those getting chemotherapy or those dealing with fear of a breast cancer recurrence.

Talking to a patient navigator or social worker is a good first step in finding a support group. You can also call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN or email for help finding a local, online or telephone support groups.

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Bone Marrow/stem Cell Transplant

The BMT Support Group is designed to offer support, encouragement, information and resources regarding all aspects of the stem cell transplant process. The group is open to all Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant patients, family members, caregivers, friends and donors. For more information, please call , extension 281210.

Can You Afford To Have Breast Cancerfor Too Many Canadians The Answer Is No

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it touches everyone in her life.

Read about women’s experience with breast cancer.

THE TRUTH about breast cancer is the financial burden can be just as devastating as the physical and emotional impact.That’s why we provide financial assistance to patients who are living in poverty while in treatment.

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