Seeking a Lung Cancer Support Group

When you are diagnosed with a serious illness like lung cancer, it can feel like the whole world is crashing down on you. And if you don't personally know anyone who has had lung cancer, you may also feel all alone.

The Benefits of Lung Cancer Support Groups
Joining a support group of other people fighting lung cancer can help you in many ways. "In a support group, you are sitting with people who have experienced the same things that you have, and who are able to talk to you about what may lie ahead," says Julie Walther Scheibel, MEd, a counselor at Concordia Seminary Counseling and Resource Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Arlene Rubinstein, a cancer survivor from Brooklyn, N.Y., who was diagnosed with stage IIIA lung cancer in 1997, says support groups were an important part of her lung cancer treatment and recovery. "I felt like I needed to talk with somebody," says Rubinstein, who called the American Cancer Society and CancerCare after receiving her lung cancer diagnosis to find support groups in her local area.

"A support group gives you strength," says Rubinstein, who now volunteers as a phone buddy for the Lung Cancer Alliance. "When you see other people who are survivors, it makes you feel that you can be a survivor, too."

Studies show that people with cancer who participate in support groups see improvements in their quality of life. Support groups are a form of group therapy that can provide you with comfort, teach you how to cope with the physical and emotional effects of a lung cancer diagnosis, allow you to share stories with others who understand what you are going through, and reassure you that you are not alone.

Finding a Lung Cancer Support Group

In addition to organizations such as the American Cancer Society and CancerCare, your oncologist, a local hospital, a teaching hospital in your region, or a medical social worker may also be able to put you in touch with lung cancer or general cancer support groups in your area. Some tips to keep in mind as you embark on your search:

You may not find the best support group for you right away. In some cases, you may have to try out multiple support groups before you find one that fits your personality. This was the case for Rubinstein, who says that the first group she joined didn't work out. "I tried to go three times and instead of getting more hopeful, I was more depressed," says Rubinstein, who kept trying until she found the right one.

Different support groups provide different services. Some may focus on educating you about your disease and teaching you relaxation techniques such as meditation. Others may be less structured, and focus more on the group's interaction. Do some research on the types of groups that are available in your area so that you can find one that best meets your needs.

Online or telephone groups are a good option. If you are not physically up for going to in-person support groups, or if there aren't any in your area, you can find lung cancer support on the Internet and by phone.

As a phone buddy for Lung Cancer Alliance, Rubinstein talks to other people who have been diagnosed with the same type of lung cancer she had. "I call them and I give them hope," she says. "I tell them, 'Look at me, I'm still here. [My lung cancer] had spread and I was stage IIIA, and I'm okay."

Having people to talk to who understand what you're going through can be an invaluable source of support when you're dealing with a serious illness such as lung cancer. With a little help from family, friends, support group members and other people who are there to help, you’ll find the tough road ahead of you a bit more bearable.