Benefits of Support for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma support groups can help you manage your emotional well-being as you battle cancer. These groups are a safe place to go to share your feelings, wins, and challenges with people who truly understand and care about your health.
Mesothelioma support services can be helpful for not only patients but for family members and caregivers as well.
Some benefits of mesothelioma support groups include:
- Better quality of life: Mesothelioma and asbestos support groups can boost your mood and overall outlook during your cancer battle.
- Connections with others: Socializing and forming relationships with people on the same journey as you can make you feel less alone. You can also provide support to other victims and loved ones in their fight against mesothelioma.
- Stress reduction: Voicing your concerns and sharing your own personal experience can ease anxiety, depression, or stress. This is true whether you’re battling cancer or simply caring for someone who was diagnosed.
- Strong sense of community: Events advocating for asbestos awareness bring mesothelioma patients together.
If you’ve had trouble finding mesothelioma support groups, look no further. Below, our team has compiled a list of mesothelioma support options for patients and caregivers. You can also download our free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about treatment and support options.
Mesothelioma Support Groups for Patients
Support groups allow you to meet and speak with other mesothelioma patients and survivors. Connecting with other patients dealing with similar thoughts, feelings, and emotions can help you feel less isolated during mesothelioma treatment.
Support for mesothelioma can come in many forms depending on your personal preference. Groups can meet in person, online, or over the phone. These options can accommodate your schedule and make it easy to get support anytime, anywhere.
Local Support Groups
Local support groups provide face-to-face contact and are an excellent way to meet and bond with others.
You can find local support groups through:
- Hospitals: Most hospitals offer cancer support groups for their patients. Ask a member of your care team for more information.
- Mesothelioma cancer centers: Cancer centers with mesothelioma units often host support groups for patients battling this disease.
- National Cancer Information Center (NCIC): The NCIC can help you find a support group in your area. Call NCIC at 1-800-227-2345 to find a group near you.
There may not be a local support group near you that is dedicated solely to mesothelioma patients since this cancer is so rare. If you are unable to find an in-person support group that is close to you, you may consider over-the-phone or virtual options.
Phone Support Groups
Phone support groups offer great support that you can access in the comfort of your own home. Over-the-phone support options are especially helpful to busy patients going through treatment or late-stage patients that are unable to leave their homes for extended periods of time.
You can find mesothelioma phone support groups through:
- CanCare: This group helps connect patients to cancer survivors. These survivors provide support through phone calls, text messages, and more as patients fight their disease.
- Cancer Support Helpline: This hotline connects cancer patients with resources and communities to meet their needs.
- The Meso Foundation: This foundation was created by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. Join a conference call from your own home to listen and talk about shared experiences, struggles, and victories once a month.
Online Support Groups
Local and phone mesothelioma support groups may only be available at certain times, but there is no schedule for your struggles with mesothelioma. In these cases, online mesothelioma support groups can give you the help you need 24/7.
You can find mesothelioma support groups online through:
- Cancer Survivors Network: Founded by the American Cancer Society, this platform lets you share stories, participate in discussions, and seek advice from the cancer community.
- Mesothelioma Straight Talk: General Discussion: This is a private Facebook group sponsored by the Meso Foundation that serves as a platform for patients and loved ones to share their stories.
- Mesothelioma Straight Talk: Patient Support: The Meso Foundation also created this page for patient-specific support to discuss living with mesothelioma and their treatment journeys.
There are many other online cancer support options in addition to the groups listed above. These online forums are a great way to connect with cancer patients around the country and share stories of inspiration as you fight mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Family and Caregiver Support Groups
A mesothelioma diagnosis can affect the entire family. Watching a loved one fight cancer can be very emotional, and many people do not know how to cope with loss and grief.
Thankfully, support options can help loved ones cope with their loved one’s mesothelioma diagnosis and connect with others in the same situation. This can greatly help their own mental health and overall state of mind.
You can find mesothelioma caregiver support groups through:
- Mesothelioma Straight Talk: Caregivers – Advanced Disease: This group gives those caring for a late-stage mesothelioma patient a place to learn about symptom management and other care options.
- Mesothelioma Straight Talk: Caregivers – Early Disease: This group focuses on early-stage mesothelioma caregivers looking for words of inspiration, encouragement, and support.
- Mesothelioma Loss Support Group: Losing someone to a rare and preventable disease like mesothelioma can be difficult to go through alone. This group brings together those who lost their loved ones to mesothelioma to help cope and create connections.
The Meso Foundation also holds monthly caregiver, widow, spousal, and patient support groups over the phone.
Download our free Self-Care for Caregivers Guide to learn about stress-relieving techniques designed specifically for those caring for loved ones with mesothelioma.
Community Awareness for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma community support aims to spread awareness and educate others about the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma.
These community events bring individuals affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases together to share personal experiences, learn about new treatment options, advocate for mesothelioma research, and more.
Community support for mesothelioma includes fundraisers, races, concerts, and national or local awareness events.
National Mesothelioma Awareness Day
September 26th has been Mesothelioma Awareness Day since 2004. The Meso Foundation encourages awareness and fundraising by using social media and promoting third-party fundraising events across the country.
National Asbestos Awareness Week
In 2013, the U.S. Senate designated the first week in April as Asbestos Awareness Week to advocate for Americans exposed to asbestos throughout the decades.
World Lung Cancer Day
August 1st was named World Lung Cancer Day by the American Lung Association to advocate for lung cancer research with local events and nationwide social media takeovers.
While mesothelioma is not a cancer of the lung, it often affects the lung lining and many patients need to have a lung removed as part of their treatment. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer in some cases.
International Symposium on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
The International Symposium on Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a two-day conference created by the Meso Foundation. The conference highlights clinical trials, treatment options, and allows the community to connect with top mesothelioma experts.
Find Support for Mesothelioma
A mesothelioma diagnosis can deeply affect you and your loved ones. You may feel anger, confusion, sadness, and isolation as you navigate through your fight with mesothelioma.
It is important to remember that you are not alone in your journey. There are thousands of people in the same situation that can offer you support when you need it the most. A mesothelioma support group may offer kindness, knowledge, and a shared understanding of your situation.
Mesothelioma Hope also offers 24/7 support from our Patient Advocates dedicated to helping families with mesothelioma. Contact us today to share your story.
Mesothelioma Support FAQ
How does cancer affect your mental health?
It is common to have feelings of anxiety and depression about the uncertain journey ahead upon receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Mesothelioma patients and caregivers are encouraged to lean on their support systems following their diagnosis and during treatment. Mesothelioma support can be extremely beneficial for patients’ well-being.
Talk to your doctor about what next steps you can take if you begin experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression after your mesothelioma diagnosis.
How can I find mesothelioma support groups online?
Online support groups have become more useful than ever in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. To find mesothelioma support groups online, turn to trusted organizations like the Meso Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
These organizations offer numerous online support resources. Even though you may not be able to meet with other mesothelioma patients in-person at this point in time, you can still make meaningful connections online.
Are there mesothelioma support groups for family members?
Yes. A mesothelioma diagnosis can affect the entire family. It is very common for family members to feel upset and confused when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.
Thankfully, there are several mesothelioma support group options for the whole family. The Meso Foundation has several mesothelioma-specific support groups for caregivers and loved ones.
You can also reach out to your local cancer center to see if there are any local in-person support groups for families affected by mesothelioma.
