Get Support During Cancer Treatment

A diagnosis of cancer can be a shock. And it is a very personal experience. It often brings up extreme emotions.

You do not have to fight cancer alone. Seek support from family, friends, and others who care about you. Let other people assist you. It can help you feel better both during and after your treatment.

The members of your healthcare team can help by answering any questions that you might have about the disease and its treatment. Others who have had cancer, including family and friends, can help ease your fears about what is come. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of your religious organization may also help.

Many people with cancer join support groups. In these groups, members share what they have learned about cancer. They talk about the challenges they've faced and offer coping strategies that helped them. And by sharing their experiences, you may not feel like you are all alone. Here are some choices for finding the right support for you:

• Ask a member of your healthcare team, such as a nurse or social worker, to suggest a local or national group. Groups can offer emotional support, information, financial aid, transportation, home care, or other services.

• Call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237). This service has information on helpful programs.

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