·        Internet-based Research and Training

            Online Support Groups
Research Findings

·         Over the last 25 years, research has shown that support groups help reduce the three most significant stressors associated with cancer: unwanted aloneness, loss of control and loss of hope.

·         Since 1998, CSC has provided over 1,200 professionally facilitated support groups over the Internet to people coping with a cancer diagnosis.

·         Research conducted at the Cancer Support Community has shown that people in support groups, either in person or online, report a decrease in depression, increased zest for life and a new attitude toward their illness.

·         Support groups can help you deal with depression and anxiety.

·         Some patients say that support groups help them with the trauma they feel from their diagnosis, as well as with managing pain better.

From Face-to-Face to Internet Based Support Group

A presentation done by Mitch Golant, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Research and Development the Cancer Support Community Headquarters & Ellen Levine, LCSW, OSW-C Program Director The Wellness Community of Central New Jersey

For the full text, you can click this link http://liberty.state.nj.us/health/ccr/documents/2007number2.pdf  

Cancer Advocacy Online Training

The Cancer Support Community Headquarters and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) developed Cancer Advocacy Now (CAN!), a useful advocacy training program focused on teaching people to take an active role in creating a positive change in our healthcare system to benefit people living with cancer.

Current Research

Cancer support groups: a critical review of empirical studies

            Abstract

• Support groups for adults affected by cancer are widely offered by local community and

      national agencies in North America. This type of psychosocial intervention is defined in terms of its structure and functions, and its theoretical underpinnings and models of practice are described. Forty-four empirical studies of professionally led cancer support groups are summarized and critically reviewed. These studies include 32 outcome evaluations of randomized controlled trials, two process evaluations, and 10 consumer satisfaction studies. The findings reveal high levels of consumer satisfaction, and the outcome evaluations substantiate the morale and other quality of life benefits short of prolonging life. Discussion centers on priorities for future research and practice.

Published online 20 September 2006 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).

Change in Emotion-Regulation Strategy for Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer Following Supportive–Expressive Group Therapy

          Abstract

• Four relatively independent emotion-regulation constructs (suppression of negative affect, restraint, repression, and emotional self-efficacy) were tested as outcomes in a randomized trial of supportive–expressive group therapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. Results indicate that report of suppression of negative affect decreased and restraint of aggressive, inconsiderate, impulsive, and irresponsible behavior increased in the treatment group as compared with controls over 1 year in the group. Groups did not differ over time on repression or emotional self-efficacy. This study provides evidence that emotion-focused therapy can help women with advanced breast cancer to become more expressive without becoming more hostile. Even though these aspects of emotion-regulation appear trait-like within the control group, significant change was observed with treatment.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Copyright 2002 by the American Psychological Association, Inc. 2002, Vol. 70, No. 4, 916–925

The Effect of Group Psychosocial Support on Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

• Supportive–expressive group therapy has been reported to prolong survival among women with metastatic breast cancer. However, in recent studies, various psychosocial interventions have not prolonged survival.

Copyright © 2001 by the Massachusetts Medical Society VOLUME 345 Number 24

Effect of Cognitive-Existential Group Therapy on Survival in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Abstract

• Cognitive-existential group therapy (CEGT) was developed to improve mood and mental attitude toward cancer in women with early-stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Given the debate about group therapy’s association with increased survival in women with metastatic breast cancer, we were curious to check its effect at a much earlier stage in the cancer journey.

      Journal of Clinical Oncology Volume 22 _ Number 21 _ November 1 2004