If you have just learned about your cancer diagnosis, you may be feeling too numb to think about what you need to manage the stress and anxiety that naturally comes with diagnosis and treatment.  Dealing with the feelings and changes cancer can bring can be lonely even when you are surrounded by loving and supportive people. Talking to someone may be the first step in helping you cope with the uncertainties ahead.

The secret is to consider all the options available to you for support.  You may not feel like you need help right now and that’s okay.  When and if you are ready, talking about your cancer with others who understand can give you the support and confidence you need to regain a sense of control over your situation.  Some days, it’s not just about the cancer. Some days, it’s life itself that challenges us and finding the right kind of support at the right time can be critical to your emotional, social and spiritual recovery from cancer.

To join a support group click This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or you can call our helpline at 888-441-4439 or in the Albuquerque area call 242-3263

The Value of Support Groups

Over the last 25 years there has been extensive research on the positive effects of support groups as a method of coping with cancer, improving quality of life, and in some studies — even increasing survival. 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.  In fact, research has shown that people who participate in support groups, either face-to-face or online, report significant decreases in depression, find an increased zest for life, and may develop new attitude toward their illness.

Support groups are not for everyone. And not all support groups are the same.  There are many different types of support groups.  Some are professionally facilitated; some are facilitated by fellow cancer survivors.   Some groups are disease-specific (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, etc); age or gender-specific (young adults, men, women, etc); and some are time-limited (six week series for newly diagnosed breast cancer, etc).  Participants in People Living Through Cancer support groups often say things like, “It saved my life!” or “I couldn’t have done all this without my support group…”.  A support group can become a lifeline to information, support and encouragement through good times and bad. All of our support groups are free-of-charge and meet on an ongoing basis.

 Short-Term Crisis Intervention Counseling

Individual counseling offers patients one-to-one time with a mental health professional who is expert in helping people express thoughts, fears, and emotions.  There are times when it is beneficial for a couple or the whole family to sit down with someone to talk about relationship or family issues related to the diagnosis and treatment.  If you feel you could benefit from individual counseling, please speak with our Program Director.  PLTC offers short-term counseling in addition to our support groups.