by Ronald Louis Peterson

Created on: September 03, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

On-line Breast Cancer Support Groups: Connecting the "Sisterhood"

Within a week of being diagnosed with breast cancer and having surgery, Cheryl, a 56-year-old woman who was raising her five-year-old granddaughter searched the Internet to "look for a support group to offer positive and truthful insight." She found it at breastcancer.org. [1] Cheryl is one of nearly 200,000 American women each year who need somewhere to turn after being diagnosed with breast cancer. And many of them are turning to on-line communities for at least some of their support.

An analysis of more than 33,200 postings from an on-line breast cancer bulletin board concluded that participation in these communities helps. The executive summary of this research stated, "The psychosocial benefits included: receiving/giving information; receiving/giving social support; optimism toward breast cancer, increased skill or ability to cope with the disease, improved mood, decreased psychological distress, and strategies to manage stress. Over time, a positive correlation was found between the amount of participation and psychosocial well-being." [2]

These on-line breast cancer support communities are not all the same. While some encourage discussions about any breast cancer topic, others focus on just one area, such as the advanced stages of breast cancer. Perhaps the best place to go on-line to get support for those dealing with stage-4 breast cancer is the Advanced Breast Cancer Community. [3] Here visitors find comprehensive information and an on-line community dedicated exclusively to just their needs; patients, caregivers, family and friends, and health care providers.

Then, there are Internet sites which offer more vibrant breast cancer support communities that include discussion forums, chat rooms, ask-the-expert conferences, and individual stories of hope. Breastcancer.org is one of these sites. Its members can add new discussion topics, post responses to existing topics, and/or just read what their fellow members have to say about something.

For those who prefer to talk in real time about something on their mind, they just enter one of the site's chat rooms. Right now breastcancer.org offers two rooms: "Treatment and Beyond" and "Staying Connected." They are open 24/7 every day of the year.

But what about getting answers that only a professional can provide? In these cases, members of breastcancer.org can attend one of its on-line, interactive conferences that feature experts.

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