Is There an “Ideal Cancer” Support Group? Key Findings from a Qualitative Study of Three Groups

Abstract

The objective of this study was to study differently composed cancer support groups to generate insights into what groups are attractive to the widest range of participants, and how they might be best structured and composed. This study applied a qualitative design utilizing participant observation at three cancer support groups (a group for women with metastatic cancer, a colorectal cancer support group, and a group for Chinese cancer patients) and in-depth interviews (N = 23) with group members as the primary data collection methods. Despite the diverse composition of the groups, their perceived benefits were similar, and informants highlighted the information, acceptance, and understanding they received in the support group environment. However, gender and cultural differences were found in attendance patterns and the desired content of group meetings. Importantly, participants' motivations for attending cancer support groups also changed as they moved through the treatment trajectory: over time the need for information was at least partially replaced by a need for support and understanding. This study supports prior research findings that there is no ideal support group, nor is there a "magical formula" for attracting and retaining a diverse audience. However, including an educational component in support groups may increase the participation of currently underrepresented populations such as men and patients from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Coping Strategies, Psychological Impact, and Support Preferences of Men With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Multicenter Survey

“…This reflects the current provision of care, but men were also interested in a question‐and‐answer session with their rheumatologist or specialist nurse, opportunities to hear about current research, and education sessions for symptom management. This is similar to evidence from studies of other long‐term conditions suggesting that support services for men should have a practical focus 16 and provide opportunities to gather new information 22, 23 and that men use information exchange as a form of emotional support 24. Despite this finding, men are underrepresented in trials focusing on symptom management in RA (e.g., in a fatigue management program, 85.4% of the participants were female) 25.…”

Living with Cancer: The Experiences of Chinese Canadian Cancer Survivors

“…In the beginning of their journey, participants depended on a support group to provide them treatment information; later on they appreciated the support and understanding from the group members. This is similar to findings from a study in British Columbia (Bell & Lee, 2010). Due to language limitation, most participants preferred to read Chinese-written information and attend Chinese-speaking workshops and support groups.…”

“…The number of Chinese Canadians is growing in Canada; however, there are very few appropriate culture-sensitive or language-friendly resources available for them to obtain in-depth information after being diagnosed with breast cancer (Bell & Lee, 2010). This lack of information may impede their adjustment by increasing their cancer-related anxiety and degrading their quality of life (Adams, Boulton, & Watson, 2009).…”

A systematic review and metaethnography to identify how effective, cost-effective, accessible and acceptable self-management support interventions are for men with long-term conditions (SELF-MAN)

“…The majority of the studies were conducted in the USA (n = 13 studies) 101,110,113,114,123,[128][129][130]136,208,213,217 and the UK (n = 11), 99,100,102,108,112,115,116,128,209,214,216 with the remainder in Australia (n = 5), 109,111,118,210,212 Canada (n = 5) 107,117,120,125,211 and the following: Denmark, 207 France, 218 South Africa 215 and Sweden…”

“…The most common disease area was cancer (n = 22), [99][100][101]107,109,111,116,122,125,128,130,136,[207][208][209][210][212][213][214]216,217 followed by HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (n = 7), 108,110,117,123,127,129,215 cardiac (n = 4: coronary artery disease n = 1, 134 heart failure n = 1, 135 myocardial infarction n = 2 102,211 ), mental health (n = 2: depression n = 1, 115 depression/anxiety n = 1 112 ), arthritis (n = 1), 118 type 2 diabetes (n = 1) 218 and multiple sclerosis (n = 1). 103 The majority of cancer studies focused on male sex-specific cancers (prostate n = 14, 100,101,109,111,121,125,128,136,[208][209][210]212,213 testicular n = 2 …”