The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has updated its cancer information delivery services. In the future, please use the Cancer.gov web site (Http: //cancer.gov/) to meet your cancer information needs. CancerMail users in the United States can obtain cancer information by telephone at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

The NCI will no longer support CancerMail after November 2002. If you have comments about the NCI's cancer information delivery services, contact us by e-mail at cancer.govstaff@mail.nih.gov or call 301-496-9096.

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1. How can support groups help?

People who have been diagnosed with cancer sometimes find they need assistance coping with the emotional as well as the practical aspects of their disease. In fact, attention to the emotional burden of cancer is sometimes part of a patients treatment plan. Cancer support groups are designed to provide a confidential atmosphere where cancer patients or cancer survivors can discuss the challenges that accompany the illness with others who may have experienced the same challenges. For example, people gather to discuss the emotional needs created by cancer, to exchange information about their diseaseincluding practical problems such as managing side effects or returning to work after treatmentand to share their feelings. Support groups have helped thousands of people cope with these and similar situations.

Family and friends are affected when cancer touches someone they love, and they may need help in dealing with stresses such as family disruptions, financial worries, and changing roles within relationships. To help meet these needs, some support groups are designed just for family members of people diagnosed with cancer; other groups encourage families and friends to participate along with the cancer patient or cancer survivor.

3. How can people find support groups?

Many organizations offer support groups for people diagnosed with cancer and their family members or friends. The NCI fact sheet National Organizations That Offer Services to People With Cancer and Their Families lists many cancer-concerned organizations that can provide information about support groups. This fact sheet is available at Http: //cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/8_1.htm on the Internet, or can be ordered from the Cancer Information Service at 18004CANCER (18004226237). Some of these organizations provide information on their Web sites about contacting support groups. Doctors, nurses, or hospital social workers who work with cancer patients may also have information about support groups, such as their location, size, type, and how often they meet. Most hospitals have social services departments that provide information about cancer support programs. Additionally, many newspapers carry a special health supplement containing information about where to find support groups.

Several kinds of support groups are available to meet the individual needs of people at all stages of cancer treatment, from diagnosis through followup care. Some groups are general cancer support groups, while more specialized groups may be for teens or young adults, for family members, or for people affected by a particular disease. Support groups may be led by a professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker, or by cancer patients or survivors. In addition, support groups can vary in approach, size, and how often they meet. Many groups are free, but some require a fee (people can contact their health insurance company to find out whether their plan will cover the cost). It is important for people to find an atmosphere that is comfortable and meets their individual needs.

You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.

Telephone...

Cancer Information Service (CIS)

Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their families, health professionals, and the general public. Information specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.

Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
TTY: 1-800-332-8615

Http: //cancer.gov - Cancer.gov is the NCI s primary web site and provides immediate access to critical cancer information and resources. It contains material for health professionals, patients, and the public, including information from PDQ about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, supportive care, and clinical trials, and CANCERLIT, a bibliographic database. Cancer.gov also includes information on understanding trials, deciding whether to participate in trials, finding specific trials, plus research news and other resources.

E-mail...

CancerMail

Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, and supportive care. To obtain a contents list, send e-mail to cancermail@cips.nci.nih.gov with the word "help" in the body of the message.

Fax...

CancerFax

Includes NCI information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, and supportive care. To obtain a contents list, dial 301-402-5874 or 1-800-624-2511 from a touch-tone telephone or fax machine hand set and follow the recorded instructions.

Date Last Modified: 03/2002

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