Doctor and patient[/caption]George Roy---Cancer patients are encouraged to join support groups in order to be able to express feelings, to interact with others having some of those same feelings and to find shared experiences can promote understanding and positive thinking. Now researchers tell us that maintaining a website or blog where one shares cancer experiences can also be helpful.
UCLA researchers have found that communicating with one’s close group of friends, or fellow patients, can help in reducing depression and can enhance an overall appreciation for life.
14% to 16% of cancer patients suffer from depression significant enough to need treatment.
Annette Stanton of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of psychology and psychiatry, maintains “From our own and others’ previous research, we know that expressing emotions surrounding the experience and gaining social support can be helpful for people diagnosed with cancer, and we know that interpersonal interventions can be useful.”
And experts also tell us that knowing the type of cancer someone has helps a patient understand treatment options. On the other hand, survival statistics don’t tell the whole story, 2 because living with cancer, and finding some in remission, is individual and based upon other underlying health conditions, support groups and the kind of overall care one receives during the course of treatment and afterward.
