scholarly journals Why Don’t Cancer Survivors Attend Cancer Support Groups in Toronto

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Tsorng-Yeh Lee ◽  
Beryl Pilkington ◽  
Grace Ho
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Normal Person ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups ◽  
Chinese Cancer Survivors ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death for both men and women in Canada. Professionally or nonprofessionally led support groups have been recognized as a significant source of psychosocial support for cancer survivors. However, the participation rate was low and reasons for leaving a support group were not explored fully. Purpose: To explore the reasons why Chinese cancer survivors left or did not attend a cancer support group in Toronto. Methods: In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted. Five Chinese cancer survivors participated in in-depth interviews. Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used to analyze the interview data. Results: Four themes were extracted from the in-depth interviews: “not fit in”, “not satisfied with the information provided”, “tried to be a normal person”, and “lack reliable transportation and convenient scheduling”. Conclusion: Cancer support groups can improve cancer survivors’ physical and psychosocial outcomes. The services can also help cancer survivors to obtain health related information and connect with professionals and peers. In recognizing the reasons why cancer survivors left support groups, health-care providers need to evaluate and be aware of the needs and difficulties for cancer survivors to attend support groups. They should match cancer survivors with appropriate groups. More language-friendly groups need to be launched, so cancer patients can easily find a suitable one from their neighborhood. 

scholarly journals Delivering More Effective Lung Cancer Support Groups: Applying Best Practices From the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia to Strengthen Skills and Inspire Facilitators

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 177s-177s
Author(s):  
M. Rigney
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups ◽  
The Us ◽  
Cancer Support Group ◽  
The Uk

Background and context: Globally, 1.8 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer annually. Compared with other cancers, lung cancer patients experience higher levels of distress and greater unmet physical and emotional needs. A significant unmet need is social support. Face-to-face support groups can meet this need and may also may increase feelings of control and decrease distress. While lung cancer patients tend to prefer lung cancer-specific over general cancer groups, for many reasons these groups can be challenging to start and maintain. As a result, there are not enough groups available to meet the need. Aim: To provide guidance to those with struggling lung cancer groups, facilitators on three continents were surveyed to better understand their challenges and elicit creative ideas, collect practical tips and gather best practices for starting and maintaining successful lung cancer support groups. Strategy/Tactics: To understand the experiences of lung cancer facilitators, direct feedback was needed. To identify facilitators, member organizations of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) were tapped. Comprised of 37 charity organizations, GLCC is the international “voice” of the lung cancer community. Three GLCC organizations (one each from the United States-US, United Kingdom-UK and Australia-AUS) that either directly offer lung cancer support groups or manage networks of groups, agreed to participate. Program/Policy process: A 21 question online survey was sent to 131 support group facilitators, 7 in AUS, 42 in the UK and 82 in the US. Questions included length of time the group had been running, how often it met, average number of participants and other group/facilitator characteristics. Respondents were asked to identify their greatest challenges in group maintenance and solutions used to overcome those challenges. Knowledge gained from the survey and an extensive literature review were incorporated into the Lung Cancer Support Group Troubleshooting Guide. Outcomes: With a 56% completion rate, specific results varied by demographic area. Groups in AUS and the UK tended to have more participants, were more likely to be cofacilitated by nurses and held in public places. More groups in the US were based in hospitals and run by social workers. 75% of facilitators in the UK and AUS and 71% of those in the US said their groups were successful. What was learned: Creative solutions to lung cancer support group challenges were shared and keys to successful groups identified. Suitable for facilitators at all skills levels, the resulting Guide includes creative solutions for overcoming specific barriers and resource constraints. Widely distributed in the US, a small survey found that 91% of Guide users found it somewhat or very helpful. While written for lung cancer groups, any kind of support group, anywhere in the world that is struggling can benefit from the suggestions and ideas offered by the Guide.

scholarly journals The Forms and Uses of Acquired Prostate Cancer Expertise Among Prostate Cancer Survivors

2020 ◽  
pp. 136078042090584
Author(s):  
Richard Green
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The South ◽  
Prostate Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups ◽  
Patient Expertise ◽  
Moral Discourses

This article examines men’s prostate cancer experiences through the lens of patient expertise. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 men treated for prostate cancer, recruited from two prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) in the South-East of England. Different forms of expertise, as classified by Collins, were found to be possessed by these men. How these different forms of expertise were acquired, used, and shared with others are explored, and a concept of communal licensing is posited to better understand these activities. The acquisition and usage of these different forms of expertise, through the employment of moral discourses that emphasise responsibility for one’s own health, are found to serve to blur the boundaries between lay person and expert.

scholarly journals Review of the Nutrition Guidance Irish Healthcare and Charitable Organisations and Cancer Centres provide for Cancer Patients and Cancer Survivors.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Keaver ◽  
Leah Walsh ◽  
Helen Callaghan ◽  
Christine Houlihan
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Nutritional Guidance ◽  
Cancer Support Groups

AbstractBackground: A cancer diagnosis presents a potential teachable moment however, evidence-based information, guidance and support all need to be available in order to capitalise on this. Health care professionals report providing little advice in this area. Previous work has shown that cancer survivors tend to prefer statutory and recognised charitable centres and groups. It is therefore important to determine what nutrition information is available on these websites as otherwise this group may turn to less reliable sources of informationObjective: To determine the availability, quality and readability of nutrition information for cancer patients and survivors from Irish healthcare organisations, cancer charity and support groupsMethods: Organisations were located using three search strategies: 1) We first sought to identify any nutrition information for cancer patients or survivors provided by the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE), 2) To identify suitable organisations the word “cancer” was searched for in the search engine of the Benefacts (official register of charitable organisations) website. The ten largest organisations were included and 3) an additional internet search was conducted using the terms ‘cancer charities Ireland’ and ‘cancer support groups Ireland’. The first two pages of results were assessed. The quality of the nutrition information was determined using the adapted IPDAS tool. Readability testing was carried out on the websites where nutrition information was available usingResults: A total of 32 websites were assessed. Of these only five provided any form of nutrition guidance for cancer patients with three of these five also providing some guidance for cancer survivors. The guidance provided centred on guidelines and lacked practical strategies for their implementation. The quality of the information provided ranged from 19.5–29 out of a maximum of 40. The readability level required to understand the information ranged from 11–17 years of age.Conclusion: There is a need for nutritional guidance to be provided by national health and cancer related organisations and for this information to be specific to the cohort e.g. patient vs survivor. There is also a need for practical strategies to make the translation of guidelines into practice easy for patients and survivors.

Use of cancer support groups among Latina breast cancer survivors

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Nápoles-Springer ◽  
Carmen Ortíz ◽  
Helen O’Brien ◽  
Marynieves Díaz-Méndez ◽  
Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups

Social support needs of breast cancer patients without partners

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda C. Ginter ◽  
Bonnie Braun
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Family Systems Theory ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups ◽  
Oncology Care

This qualitative study investigated how women without partners navigate social support challenges following their breast cancer diagnoses. In-depth interviews were used for collection. Twenty women without partners discussed the supportive and unsupportive roles their relatives, peers, and colleagues played during diagnoses and treatment. Family systems theory guided the construction of interview questions. Thematic analysis uncovered the following themes: reactions to diagnosis, managing social networks, negotiating appropriate forms of social support with loved ones, and expanding social networks postdiagnosis. Participants discussed the personal challenge of unexpectedly unsupportive friends and family and how they established boundaries with these individuals. Participants also discussed needing age-relevant and cancer stage-specific breast cancer support groups. These findings are relevant to oncology care providers and therapists. Additional implications of these findings for patients, practice, and research are discussed.

scholarly journals From Diagnosis to Survivorship: Using Cancer Support Group as an Advocacy and Support Tool for Cancer Care

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 3) ◽  
pp. 32s-32s
Author(s):  
Gloria M. Orji ◽  
Runcie C.W. Chidebe ◽  
Chuks Igbokwe ◽  
Khadijat Banwo-Fatai ◽  
Swatkasa Gimba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups ◽  
Cancer Support Group

Purpose Cancer diagnosis comes with many challenges. Diagnosis is a huge burden to the patient, family, and community that subjects them to financial crisis, emotional distress, a dearth of self-esteem, and physiologic deformations. From a patient’s perspective, the treatment of cancer is complex and complicated with a weak health care system, attitude of health care workers, lack of insurance, lack of trust in orthodox medicine, and stigmatization. Patients with cancer are constantly seeking solace, people to listen to them, and people who understand their state of mind and can be a source of inspiration. Studies have shown that peer cancer support groups result in psychological benefit and improve relationships. The 2016 World Cancer Congress patient’s pavilion inspired us to start cancer support group for patients with cancers, survivors, and caregivers, known as the Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group, through the Union for International Cancer Control SPARC Metastatic Breast Cancer Challenge project. The cancer support group was primarily founded for only patients with breast cancer, survivors, caregivers, and for peer support. As of today the group has transitioned from being a patient group to also being an advocacy group with a number of activities and programs that are aimed at guiding all patients with cancer from diagnosis to survivorship. Methods This study reviewed the 1 year activities of the Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group and surveyed the impact of peer support on the 36 members of the group using a mixed-methods approach. Results Cancer support groups have the potential to revolutionize cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa, as we have seen with HIV/AIDs support groups. Use of technological tools is helpful to build connectedness. Conclusion There was an improvement in the psychological states of patients as well as in their physiologic understanding of their diagnosis by meeting together, networking, and interacting through a WhatsApp group. Our qualitative findings also indicate that patients with cancer need platforms through which to speak out, to advocate, and to change the course of cancer care if provided with the necessary training and support. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/site/ifc . No COIs from the authors.

Community survivorship program: Kansas Hope in the Valley program.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 34-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Chauhan ◽  
Winston Tan
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Cancer Group ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Cancer Support Groups

34 Background: Patient run community based survivorship programs are rare; most are affiliated with clinics and hospitals. Aim: To highlight a community based non-hospital affiliated program that had operated successfully for 32 years and review their best practices and challenges. Methods: Data collected from Hope in the Valley support group program. In Wichita, Kansas there is a patient formed community based support group/survivorship program supported and operated privately by survivors. Results: Todate a total of 16 disease specific and 13 general cancer support groups are affiliated with the organization and all the services are housed in a building. The support groups meet in different places and are grouped according to their proximity to their residences. Services provided include lodging assistance, women's boutique, support group meetings, transportation, patient assistance program, and a hospitality center. Every new patient with cancer in the community was given a referral to the center. Cancer support groups include breast, gynecologic, lung, kidney, gastrointestinal, lymphoma, leukemia, adolescent, childhood and general cancer group. In 2014 67, 709 patients attended support groups meetings and 2000 patients attended between January- April 2015. The hospitality center had 20, 160 visits and 19,877 physician's office treatment visits were conducted in 2014. There are 3 full time staff, 7 part time staff and 200 volunteers run the organization. Challenges include recruitment of volunteers, funding for the organization, existing as an independent program from churches, hospital, clinics, or national organizations, public awareness of the program, the governance and structure of the organization. Details of the challenges and how their organization is run will be presented. Many of the patients used their services often give back as volunteers, facilitators and others. Conclusions: This is a survivorship program run by patients, actively addressing patients concerns and issues. This could provide a framework for future groups that want to form a community based patient centered cancer support group.

scholarly journals Self Support Group for Chronic Renal Failure Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Ranjana Sharma ◽  
Seema Singh
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Renal Failure ◽  
Chronic Renal Failure ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Disease Patient ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Care Providers

Self-support groups bring the patients together who is suffering from the same kind of disease conditions or problems or illnesses to share their experiences. Chronic renal failure patients and other illness support groups are a growing need in many communities. When planning for the management for CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) patient, if involve the patient or patient is participating actively, it will help in effective management of chronic kidney disease. It may aid in the patient's prognosis and can be postponed in part by self-management. Self-management of Chronic Kidney Disease is complicated due to the progressive nature of the condition and its progression. The management of Chronic Kidney Disease by a self-help group is difficult to assess, particularly over time. SMS (Self-Management Support) is important for this progressive disease because of the special nature of Chronic Kidney Disease self-management. SMS stands for the programmes that health-care providers provide to their patients in order to help them better control of their health. Dissemination of health information, patient education, telephone support, and participation in a support group are all part of you.

Reclaiming and Reshaping Life: Patterns of Reconstruction After the Suicide of a Loved One

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 994-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolores Angela Castelli Dransart
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Suicide Survivors ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Life Patterns ◽  
Survivors Of Suicide ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

The objective of this study is to identify patterns (components and processes) of reconstruction of suicide survivors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 survivors of suicide in Switzerland. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti and according to the Grounded Theory principles. Survivors of suicide face four major challenges: dealing with the impact of suicide, searching for meaning, clarifying responsibility, and finding a personal style of reaction and coping. The various ways in which survivors fare through the specific processes of the challenges result in various patterns of reconstruction: the vulnerability, transformation, commitment, and hard blow. The unique characteristics and dynamics of each of them are highlighted. Health care providers would benefit from an approach based on the dynamics of the various patterns of reconstruction in providing appropriate support to survivors of suicide.

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