How to Find Cancer Support Groups Online

Living with cancer is stressful on your body, mind, and spirit. Your body is coping with treatment that typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery which can lead to fatigue, insomnia, nausea, etc. You may be struggling psychologically, dealing with overwhelming emotions, and feeling lonely and/or isolated. Ultimately, it is on you to care for mental health. At times, this may seem impossible, especially if you feel like you are alone in the battle. You are not alone. Beyond your physician, your family, and friends, there is an online cancer community that can help support you throughout your journey of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Online cancer support groups are an excellent source of comfort and information that can help you cope with treatment, recovery, and beyond. That being said, you may not know how to find a cancer support group online. This article will help you orient yourself to the world of cancer support groups online and how to find the one that best fits your needs.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization that strives to not only fund research for cancer but also provides a substantial amount of resources for people living with or touched by cancer. It is run by a single Board of Directors that is made up entirely of volunteers from both medical and lay communities. The American Cancer Society allocates a substantial portion of its funds ($269 million) to patient support programs that assist cancer patients and their families ease the burden of cancer.

Patient programs and services that ACS hosts include:

National Cancer Information Center (NCIC)
Reach to Recovery Website and App
Cancer Survivors Network

One of their programs funds the National Cancer Information Center (NCIC) that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The NCIC provides information and support to people who are faced with cancer via trained cancer specialists who are available by phone, live chat, and video chat. The cancer information services offer valuable information and answers to your questions at 1-800-227-2345. You can also schedule a video chat online through their website.

The Reach to Recovery program connects people who have breast cancer with someone who has survived breast cancer and offers valuable advice and empathetic understanding. Similar to Reach to Recovery, the Cancer Survivors Network is an online community created for people with cancer and their loved ones. This network has a members search, discussion boards, and chat rooms devoted to providing support for people living with cancer. On this type of network, you can build a virtual space where you tell your story, share photos, and/or share a blog about your personal journey with cancer.

Find the Right Cancer Support Group Online

You may have heard of support groups that take place in person from a family member, your physician, or therapist. These groups (usually led by a professional moderator or a cancer survivor) take place regularly at a set place and time. However, the meetings may be inaccessible due to distance or time constraints or they just may not be the right fit for you. In this case, you can look for a cancer support community virtually. Online support groups are preferable for many people living with cancer for several reasons, including:

Support is available 24/7, 365 days a year
There is no commute
You can participate in the comfort of your own home
Support is typically free
Allows for privacy and anonymity

These cancer support communities are a great place for you to meet other people who are in all stages of cancer treatment (diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and remission). Online communities offer a way for you to connect with other people where you support each other emotionally and exchange valuable information. Online cancer support groups typically involve virtual meetings, chat rooms, or webinars to bring members together. A cancer support group is a precious place where you can safely share your personal story while connecting with other people who are living through a similar life experience.

Types of Online Cancer Support Groups

If you have begun to look for an online group via a browser search, you may be overwhelmed with the number of types that are available to join. There are both formal and informal groups you can join. Ultimately, it is your choice and you are not obligated to stay in one group if you find that it is not the right fit. The different types of online support groups include:

Webinars
Chat rooms
Social media (i.e., Facebook™)
Moderated discussion groups

Webinars

Webinars are seminars that take place online where people can participate in discussions, ask questions about the content, and comment. These educational presentations are not just a pre-recorded session where information is delivered in a lecture, but a two-way live session where the attendees and presenter interact. People living with cancer who are seeking more information about their treatment or simply want to learn new coping strategies for life benefit from participating in cancer-focused seminars.

Chat Rooms

Cancer support groups that take place in chat rooms typically involve members posting and replying to posts. If you are joining this type of group, you may be asked to create a personal profile or a page dedicated to sharing personal information about you (like a photo of yourself or where you went to high school). In the group, you often will share updates or have conversations in the support group network. Some cancer patients find that through sharing stories with support group members they may learn of new treatments and have a place to express concerns they have about the treatment itself. Whichever type of group you decide to join, be sure to consult with your physician and confirm any information about treatment (especially alternative) you learn about online.

Social Media

Social media can be wonderful for connecting with people and it can be a draining experience depending on how much time you spend online. These platforms can connect people with cancer worldwide, allowing for an abundant exchange of information and increased emotional support. When you join a social media-based support group, take care that your privacy and confidentiality are protected and limit the amount of screen time you spend to protect your health.

Moderated Discussion Groups

Moderated discussion groups are very similar to in-person cancer support groups with the only exception being they take place in a virtual setting. These groups are typically led by professionally trained moderators who specialize in assisting people with cancer. If you are interested in an online moderated discussion group, ask your physician or hospital social worker for a local connection. If you want to join a moderated discussion group that is not connected with your hospital, you have several options online that are sponsored by nonprofit organizations like the American Cancer Society. CancerCare is another nonprofit that sponsors several online groups for people with cancer (including family and loved ones) that are moderated by a trained oncology social worker and are free of charge.

References

American Cancer Society. (2021). Support and online communities. Retrieved from American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/support-programs-and-services/online-communities.html

Cone Health Writing Staff. (2021). Online cancer support programs. Retrieved from Cone Health: https://www.conehealth.com/services/cancer-care/support-wellness/online-support-programs/

Madormo, C. (2021, February 12). Cancer support groups and communities. Retrieved from Verywellhealth: https://www.verywellhealth.com/cancer-support-community-5094149

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