Cancer Support Groups

Being diagnosed with cancer can be devastating; you do need support to cope with the disease. Friends and family are often first group of people who are present to comfort you. However, sometimes you need more than them. Nationwide, cancer support groups do their best to improve the life of cancer victims; you will surely find a group to provide you important information and necessary assistance. You may also go on chat rooms and forums to express your fears and experiences, ask questions about the disease and its treatment. In fact, cancer survivors can provide you useful ideas to face the treatment and reduce its side effects.     

Although neglected by most, church is an ideal place to get comfort. It is found in many studies a higher percentage of people who completely heal or survive cancer longer among people who go to church and pray regularly. This can be due to divine intervention or their state of mind - they believe God will heal them. As long as it is possible, go to church and make friends. Every day, take time to praise God and meditate. Certain great books such as Steps to Christ and Jesus Christ (two books written by Ellen G. White) can be a powerful tool to help you deepen your faith in God.     

Faith in God and confidence in his love can make a big difference. It is so much easier to stay calm and feel less stressed when you are sure of God's love and his care. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that religious faith has positive effects on health. People who truly trust in God live longer and suffer fewer problems with depression and better manage their emotional response to traumatic events. While no one cannot exclude that the supernatural and miraculous power of God brings sometimes healing into our lives, it is not necessarily always the case. Peace, assurance and hope that faith gives believers can provide a mental attitude that will influence health in general. A merry heart is a good medicine - and can be even better drugs; because drugs often have destructive side effects.   

Resources for cancer survivors are numerous. We do our best to list a few; however, you can still make your own research and find a group suitable for your situation. Some resources for cancer survivors include: 

• American Cancer Society (ACS) - to find out about events, news, resources, and volunteer opportunities in your community, you can contact the ACS by calling 1-800-ACS-2345.  
• Breast Cancer Network of Strength (Formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization) - a national network for information on breast cancer. You can also find links to other sites that support patients who struggle with breast cancer.  You can get their support by dialing 1-800- 221-2141.   
• The Cancer Club - founded and run by survivor Christine Clifford, this club offers inspirational books, comforting cancer survivor gifts plus humorous cancer cartoons and support for people and families dealing with cancer. You can contact them at 1-800-586-9062.   
• Living Beyond Breast Cancer - a national education and support organization that assists women diagnosed with breast cancer. The organization also assists family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare providers. Their helpline is 1-888-753-5222.   
• Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation - a nonprofit organization that dedicates to serving children with cancer and their immediate and extended family members, survivors, health care professionals, and bereaved families. Their telephone numbers are 301-962-3520 and 1-800-366-2223. 
• Cancer Support Community -  A community located in washington, DC that determine to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. You can reach them by calling local phone: 202-659-9709  or toll-free: 1.888.793.9355.  
• National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO) - a non-profit organization that provides information and educational resources on breast cancer in the United States to patients, medical professionals and the media; their national support hotline is 1-800-221-2141.  
• Patient Advocate Foundation - a non-profit organization that to provide effective mediation and legal counseling including medical debt crisis, insurance access issues and employment issues to cancer survivors. Their phone numbers are 800-532-5274 and 757-873-6668. 
• Us TOO International-   a non-profit prostate cancer education and support network of 325 support group chapters worldwide, providing men and their families with free information, materials and peer-to-peer support. Their support hotline: (800) 80-Us TOO (800-808-7866). 
• International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - a nonprofit Foundation that works to internationally improve the quality of life of multiple myeloma patients; you can contact them by dialing this toll free number:  (800) 452-CURE or 1-800-452-2873.  
• Breast Cancer Action - an active group that provides support for the newly diagnosed, caregivers, family members and health care providers. The main mission of BCA is to inspire change to end the breast cancer epidemic.   
• National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) - a non-profit organization that seeks new therapeutic targets, as well as to improve existing treatments, and encourages research that connects directly to patient care and enhances quality of life for all brain tumor patients - their toll free number 1-800-770-8287. 
• Cancer Care, Inc. - a nonprofit agency that offers at national level free support, information, financial assistance, and practical help to people with cancer and their loved ones. Their telephone is 1-800-813-4673. 
• Lung Cancer Alliance- a national non-profit organization dedicated solely to patient support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer and those at risk for the disease - their Information Lines: 800-298-2436 (US only) and 202-463-2080. 
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and myeloma, and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families - telephone: 1-800-955-4572. 
• Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research - a nonprofit organization thatfunds research, advocates for research funding, and raises awareness of pancreatic cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. You can contact the foundation directly by dialing their toll free number: 1-866-789-1000.  
• Lymphoma Research Foundation - a nationalhealth organization that funds lymphoma research and provides patients and health care professionals with critical information on the disease; located in Los Angeles, CA 90034, their phone number is 1-800-500-9976. 
• National Lymphedema Network (NLN) - this network is working toprovide education and guidance to lymphedema patients, health care professionals, and the public in general. Their main office is in Oakland, CA, and their phone is 1-800-541-3259.  
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) - This coalitionraises awareness and increase education about ovarian cancer. The Coalition is committed to improving the survival rate and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer. Their main office is in Boca Raton, FL, and their telephone number 1-888-682-7426. 
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) - a nonprofit advocacy organization, educates health professionals and the public about pancreatic cancer to increase awareness of the disease -telephone - 1-877-272-6226. 
• Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association - an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals dedicated to support, educate, and communicate with thyroid cancer survivors, their families and friends - telephone: 1-877-588-7904.