Breast cancer support groups provide the opportunity for participants to share feelings, experiences, knowledge, and gain support from others who are in a similar situation. Some wonder if support groups are necessary, especially in light of the recent study in the Dec. 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine which states that breast cancer support groups did not extend the lives of women with advanced breast cancer. This study was a follow-up to a 1989 study, which had found that breast cancer support groups did extend lives of women with advanced breast cancer. What both studies agreed upon, however, is that breast cancer support groups do improve quality of life. This news may take some pressure off women who felt compelled to join a group to improve survival. That pressure to join a support group as a survival tactic or to have a positive attitude has been added stress for women facing breast cancer.

But joining a support group as a quality of life issue is a different matter. When diagnosed with breast cancer, many feelings emerge. The shock of diagnosis of a life threatening disease, confusion about choices of surgery and treatment, concerns about self image due to side effects of surgery and treatment, worry about reactions of friends and family, and fear and uncertainty about the future are some of the concerns. It's important to have an outlet for the feelings, so they don't stay bottled up inside. This can be accomplished by talking to friends or family, by writing in a journal, talking to a therapist, or participating in a support group.

If the decision is made to try a support group, how does one choose the right group? There are professionally led or peer led groups, short-term or ongoing groups, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly groups, and groups specific to stage of illness or mixed-stage groups. All the groups have different benefits.

Groups run by social workers focus on expression of feelings while those run by nurses may have more medical information. Peer led groups are led by breast cancer survivors who have their personal experiences to draw on. Weekly short-term groups have the benefit of continuity and regular support from the same people, where everyone starts and ends at the same time.

Ongoing groups have new members joining regularly, and participants can stay as long as they need the group. Groups that meet less frequently require less of a commitment, both in time and emotion. Same-stage groups have members going through similar issues, which can be comforting. In mixed-stage groups members can learn from others who may have more advanced disease. In choosing a group, it may take a few sessions for participants to know if the group works for them. It's also important to remember that if a group isn't helping, it's OK to leave.

More research is needed to analyze the complexities of the mind-body connection. This new research should help free women to make the right choice for themselves for the right reasons. There are many decisions to be made after a breast cancer diagnosis. In addition to the options about surgery and treatment, there are also decisions about how to deal with the multitude of feelings that arise with the diagnosis. Breast cancer support groups are one source of help. What's important, is for women to feel comfortable with their choices.

For more information on making choices for you or a loved one facing breast cancer, call the Adelphi New York State Hotline at 1-800-877-8077.