Finding Support During Treatm... Health Article

Dealing with your feelings is often easier as you learn more about the cancer and get support from others. Your healthcare team can answer your questions. Talking with friends and family or others who have had cancer can help. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy may also help you talk about your feelings. Recognizing your feelings can help you cope with them, and that in turn may help ease some of your symptoms and side effects. Pain, for instance, gets worse with stress. Many people with cancer go to support groups to share what they’ve learned about cancer and its treatments. Here are some ways you may find support.

• Talk with a nurse or social worker at your hospital or clinic. Ask him or her to suggest a local or national support group. Groups may offer emotional support, information, financial aid, transportation, home care, or other services.

• Call the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at 1-203-972-1250. They have information on new treatments as well as lists of support groups.

• Call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). They have information on resources.

• Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345). This nonprofit organization helps people with cancer and their families.