No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone

A diagnosis of breast cancer brings with it a wide range of emotions that often includes shock, fear, denial, sadness and anger. A strong social support network can help those with breast cancer address the long-term emotional impact of their diagnosis. Studies show that support from a variety of formal and informal sources can have real quality of life benefits including improvements in mood, ability to cope and reduced levels of stress. In addition to emotional support, social networks can provide practical assistance that can make daily life a little easier.

The term “social support” includes emotional/psychological support, practical assistance, health advice and other resources that are available to people through their interactions with others—their co-survivors. Co-survivors may include family members, spiritual advisors, friends, co-workers, colleagues, health care providers and fellow cancer patients.

Co-survivors can offer support in many different ways. For example, some may be able to provide practical assistance, like offering rides to and from treatments or helping with cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping and child care. Others may provide support by answering questions, offering advice, talking through the various treatment options or looking up information on the Internet. Still others offer emotional/psychological support that will help boost a person’s sense of self-worth and help her/him to feel loved, cared for and understood. These expressions of support may be as informal as a sympathetic ear offered by a close friend, or as formal as the therapeutic environment offered in a survivors’ support group or a therapist’s office.

Some may find that they also need to seek support from people outside of their existing network. This can be a difficult step, but it is a very important one. Major illnesses, such as breast cancer, often trigger strain within relationships, such that people may end up with decreased emotional support from close members of their social networks. At the time when they are needed most, the people close to them may actually be less supportive than usual. It is important to be prepared for this and to seek out additional sources of support if needed.

A support group can be a key part of treatment and recovery for people living with breast cancer. There is nothing quite like sharing your experience with others who understand what you are going through. Support groups are often led by a professional who guides discussions and helps the group to focus. Members are usually not pressured to talk, however, the group benefits most when everyone shares his or her feelings.

If you choose to join a support group, find one that is right for you. Some peer support groups are run by breast cancer survivors, while others employ a therapist as the facilitator. Support groups are a commitment of time and energy, but those who join them usually agree that it is worth the effort. Below is a listing of current support programs available in our community; many are funded by local Komen Southern Nevada grants.

• WISH (Women in Support of Healing) Group
  Meets 1st Wednesday of each month from 6:00pm-7:30pm
  Southwest Medical Associates
  2300 W. Charleston Blvd, meets in the Auditorium
  Facilitated by the Center for Compassionate Care
  Call 702-796-3167 for more information
• Breast Cancer Support Group
  Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 11:00am-12:30pm
  The Breast Center at Sunrise
  3006 South Maryland Pkwy, Suite 250
  Facilitated by the Center for Compassionate Care
  Call 702-784-1947 for more information
• Breast Cancer Support Group
  Meets 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 6:00pm
  Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Center - Henderson
  100 N. Green Valley Pkwy, Suite 330
  Call 702-616-4900 for more information
• Pahrump Breast Cancer Support Group
  Meets 2nd Friday of each month from 10:00am-11:30am
  Desert View Hospital (Pahrump, NV)
  360 South Lola Lane, Pahrump, meets in the Conference Room
  Call 1-866-471-3273 for more information
• Young Survivors Support Group (women 40 years and younger)
  Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6:00pm-7:30pm
  The Breast Center at Sunrise
  3006 South Maryland Pkwy, Suite 250
  Call 702-784-1947 for more information
• Young Survival Coalition Support Group (women 40 years and younger)
  Meets 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:30pm
  The Caring Place
  4425 S. Jones Blvd, Suite 1
  Call 702-871-7333 for more information
• Breast Cancer Peer Counseling
  Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Center – West
  7220 S. Cimarron Road
  Call 702-616-4910 to schedule a free peer counseling session with a trained breast cancer survivor counselor.
  
• Breast Cancer Support Services
  Center for Compassionate Care
  4131 Swenson St.
  Individual, couples, family, and telephone counseling are available Monday-Friday for those affected by a breast cancer diagnosis.
  Call 702-796-3167 to schedule an appointment.