According to a new study in the June 15th issue of CANCER, use of support groups varies widely by cancer type and there are few referrals to such groups by physicians. Dr. Jason Owen of Loma Linda University and his team found that about one in four cancer patients did join a support group. Patients with blood malignancies and breast cancer were more likely to join a support group than those with lung and skin cancers. Predictors of use include female gender, Caucasian race, higher education level, and symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Dr. Owen concludes, "This study sheds light on which individuals with cancer use these services. Assistance in identifying and accessing support groups should be a standard of care for all patients receiving curative, follow-up, or palliative care for cancer."
Hopefully, physicians and other healthcare providers working in oncology will continue to improve their efforts to help patients and caregivers find support groups in their communities.
1. Physicians need to be better educated to the value and variety of both community and online support groups. A recent Wall Street Journal article spoke to the special benefits of some of these patient groups and how they "are becoming invaluable partners to researchers and physicians searching for cures" ("The Growing Clout of Online Patient Groups," June 13, 2007, p. D1).
- Ed Madara, M.S.
American & N.J. Self-Help Group Clearinghouses
St. Clare's Health System, NJ
www.selfhelpgroups.org
"Mutual support groups, involving little or no cost to participants, have a powerful effect on mental and physical health... The psychological and physical health importance of this diffuse community is striking... The self-help movement, both in face-to-face and virtual arenas, has tremendous therapeutic potential."
from American Psychologist feature article "Who Talks?: The Social Psychology of Illness Support Groups" by K. P. Davison, J. W. Pennebaker, & S.S. Dickerson, (55) 2, pp. 205-217, 2000.
Posted at 9:51AM on Jun 28th 2007 by Ed Madara