Many mesothelioma patients and their caregivers find that support groups are very beneficial as they fight mesothelioma cancer. Support groups are composed of other patients and their families who are dealing with the stresses of a cancer diagnosis. They offer a venue for patients to share their stories, their emotions and their stresses with peers and build a support network of people who can empathize with their battles.
Although some support groups may be led by professionals, they are not designed to offer medical advice, but rather to give patients and their families a place to give and receive encouragement, personal advice, coping strategies, share resources, and discuss experiences with treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
A number of studies have been done to examine the benefits of support groups for patients battling terminal illnesses like mesothelioma. This research has shown that patients and their families who participate in support groups experience lower levels of anger, depression and anxiety than those who do not.
Support group options are available in many different formats ranging from in person groups to online groups, making it easy to find and join a group that will best meet your individual needs. Most support groups allow patients to attend group sessions as often as they would like, and do not pressure attendees to return if you are not comfortable or if the group has not met your needs.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in California and you would like to learn more about the disease and support group options, CLICK HERE to request a free mesothelioma book written by experienced mesothelioma professionals.