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Tips and Rules for Support Groups
Breast Cancer Network of Strength Open Door Meetings provide a supportive and safe environment for women who have experienced breast cancer to express themselves and listen to others discuss breast cancer. Please follow the rules below when attending a support group meeting, and read our tips to maximize your experience.
TIPS FOR NEWCOMERS
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Network! Network! Network! Ask for phone numbers of others in the group to keep in touch between meetings, if you are comfortable.
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Hang in there! Support groups sometimes take a bit of adjustment to become comfortable. If you don't feel well-matched to your current group, try a different Breast Cancer Network of Strength Open Door Meeting.
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Avoid "Survivor Guilt." In group, you may see women whose diagnosis, treatment and prognosis may be more or less serious than yours. Occasionally, we may feel illogically guilty that we didn't go through as much as other women. Remember, anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer has had a life-changing experience.
GROUND RULES FOR MEETINGS
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Surivivors only at support group. As much as we may like a family member or friend to hear some of the things said in group, the meeting is just for breast cancer survivors. This provides a safe place where we can say whatever is on our minds without feeling like we have to protect those we love.
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Maintain confidentiality. Do not repeat or reveal anything you have heard at meetings when you are outside group. This ensures a trusting atmosphere.
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No "doctor-bashing." We give and receive general suggestions from each other about building a partnership with our physicians or seeking second opinions, but avoid criticizing doctors.
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No medical advice. Each breast cancer survivor and her disease is unique. We can discuss which treatment we have chosen, but ultimately each woman and her physician will have to discuss and evaluate her options.