Medical News

Filed under: Alternative Therapies, All Cancers, Cancer Caregivers, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Pre-vivors

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.

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Original post by Patricia Mayville-Cox