Resources for Cancer Patients

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While the mental and emotional challenges of cancer are well-documented, standard cancer care might not be able to provide you with the emotional support you need. Happily, there are many other ways to get quality resources: support groups, online forums, and professional counselling all offer valuable approaches to strengthening your mind and spirit. Putting your self-care first is fundamental to moving through your cancer treatment with a greater sense of peace. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about the different ways you can access support, no matter where you live.

• In-Person Support Groups
  For many cancer patients, joining an in-person support group offers a safe space to share and connect with other people going through the same thing. It can be a lot easier to talk about your real feelings and experiences with other cancer patients than with your own family and friends. Many patients form deep and long-lasting friendships from cancer support groups. Ask your local cancer clinic for recommendations, or Google online to find one in your town.

• Online Communities
  If you don’t feel well enough to go to an in-person support group, joining an online community has similar benefits. Being able to access a supportive group from a laptop or smartphone can be really handy if you’re usually lying down (or if you have certain positions that you can feel comfortable in for longer periods of time). If you form a bond with someone, you can always connect with them via Skype for a face-to-face connection. Explore these online communities:
  • Cancer Survivors Network
  • Cancer Support Community
  • Cancer Hope Network
  • Cervivor
  • Peer Support Network

• Facebook Groups
  There are many Facebook groups that serve as online communities for cancer patients to support each other. Just search in Facebook for your specific type of cancer, and you’ll find options (such as the Breast Cancer Sisters Support Group). These offer an easy way to connect with others who’re going through the same thing. You can get great information here, and they can feel a bit more personable than other online communities if you’re already familiar with using Facebook.

Helpful Links for Cancer Patients

To get more specific with the suggestions above, here are some practical resources to explore. Take a look at the the list below to discover supportive online communities and informative websites that might benefit you.

• Helpful resources
  • Telephone and email helplines
  • Parenting while living with cancer
  • Sharing your cancer story
  • Coping emotionally
  • Coping with Feelings
  • About survivorship
  • Adjusting to cancer
  • Patient education publications
  • Professional counselling

• Researching treatment options
  • Clinical trials
  • Pubmed
  • Personalised Medicine Guide
  • CTOAM brochure
  • What is precision oncology?

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and anxious when you receive a cancer diagnosis, as well as when you’re choosing the right treatment for you and experiencing the physical symptoms of the disease. Know that there is help out there – all you need to do is look for it. Contact CTOAM today to learn how our counselling services can help you navigate this difficult time.

Register for a Precision Second Opinion to discover how we can help you to reduce stress and dramatically increase treatment success. With access to the most advanced tests and treatments available, you’ll know you’re doing all you can to feel well again, as quickly as possible.