Inside "Survivorship":

@CancerQuest on Twitter:

Related to this page:

Test your knowledge on Survivorship

Was this page helpful? | What did you like most? How can we make it better?

CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Survivorship: Overview > Emotional and Psychosocial Effects of Cancer > Social Support Network

Social Support Network

Introduction
People in a patient's social support network include family members, spouses, children and friends. Social support can also take the form of support groups or therapists.⁽¹⁾ It is important for these caregivers to listen to the unique needs and concerns of their loved one. For instance, they should be sensitive to the desire of the patient to share and know information about their cancer, treatment options, and their prognosis.⁽¹⁾ A support network can greatly help reduce the stress of dealing with cancer. Patients should not be afraid to ask for help from loved ones and friends. The people in a patient's support network can help ensure that they get to appointments on time, pick up children or just be there to listen to the patient's concerns.⁽²⁾

Importance
A lack of social support has been associated with higher levels of anxiety and a lower quality of life in cancer patients. ⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾ A lower incidence of depression is associated with the ability of family members to openly express feelings and thoughts to the patient. Anxiety is also less common when patients are able to freely communicate information to their family members.⁽⁵⁾ Most importantly, cancer patients who have a lack of social support have a greater desire to die and a higher risk of committing suicide. ⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾

Treatment
A good social support network has been linked with an increased quality of life for cancer patients undergoing treatment.⁽¹⁾ Information about cancer can also make the patient feel more empowered, giving them a sense of control. Nearly all studies have shown a psychological benefit for cancer patients who attend support groups.⁽⁸⁾⁽⁹⁾ Most patients attending support groups feel more emotionally fulfilled, get help managing side effects and experience less pain and anxiety.⁽¹⁰⁾ Support group attendance may also extend the life of cancer patients, but more investigation is needed to verify this.^(11)(12)

Click here to watch the full interview with Dr. Michael Burke, a psychiatric oncologist.

References for this page:

1. Ludwig H, Zojer N. Supportive care. Ann Oncol. 2007 Jan;18 Suppl 1:37-i44. [PUBMED]
2. The National Cancer Institute. When Someone You Love is Being Treated for Cancer. U.S. National Institutes of Health. Accessed Aug. 8, 2007. Web site: [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Someone-You-Love-Is-Treated ]
3. Mystakidou K, Tsilika E, Parpa E, Katsouda E, Galanos A, Vlahos L. Assessment of anxiety and depression in advanced cancer patients and their relationship with quality of life. Qual Life Res. (2005) 14(8):1825-33 [PUBMED]
4. Stark D, Kiely M, Smith A, et al. Anxiety disorders in cancer patients: their nature, associations, and relation to quality of life. J Clin Oncol (2002) 20(14): 3137-48 [PUBMED]
5. Edwards B, Clark V. "The psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis on families: the influence of family functioning and patients' illness characteristics on depression and anxiety." Psychooncology (2004) 13(8): 562-76. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15295777?dopt=Abstract] [PUBMED]
6. Breitbart W, Chochinov HM, Passik SD. Psychiatric symptoms in palliative medicine. In: Doyle D, Hanks G, Cherny N, Calman K (eds). The Oxford textbook of palliative medicine, 3rd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004:74671.
7. Breitbart W, Rosenfeld B, Pessin H, et al. Depression, hopelessness, and desire for hastened death in terminally ill patients with cancer. JAMA. (2000) 284(22): 2907-11 [PUBMED]
8. Goodwin PJ. Support groups in advanced breast cancer. Cancer. (2005) 104(11): 2596-601 [PUBMED]
9. Carmack Taylor CL, Kulik J, Badr H, Smith M, Basen-Engquist K, Penedo F, Gritz ER. A social comparison theory analysis of group composition and efficacy of cancer support group programs. Soc Sci Med. (2007) Apr 18; [PUBMED]
10. Jones LW, Demark-Wahnefried W. Diet, exercise, and complementary therapies after primary treatment for cancer. Lancet Oncol. (2006) 7(12): 1017-26 [PUBMED]
11. Fawzy FI, Canada AL, Fawzy, NW. Malignant melanoma: effects of a brief, structured psychiatric intervention on survival and recurrence at 10-year follow-up. Arch Gen Psychiatry. (2003) 60(1): 100-3 [PUBMED]
12. Weis J. Support groups for cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. (2003) 11: 763-8. [PUBMED]