Attitudes of patients with breast cancer toward support groups

Abstract

This study explored the psychosocial characteristics of women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer who were or were not interested in joining support groups. Ninety-three women using breast cancer services at a teaching hospital were interviewed about their decision to attend or not attend a support group. At an average of 7.4 months after the diagnosis, 21.5% of the women had attended a support group, whereas 59.1% reported they would not attend. Attenders were likely to be better educated, to live outside the metropolitan area, and to report poorer mental health. Exploring interviewees' reasons for their decision allowed suggestions for promoting attendance for women who may benefit from attending a support group: explain clearly at the recruitment stage what groups offer, perhaps using videos or testimonials; consider routine screening for psychological distress or perceptions of inadequate support: and accept that many women will feel no need to participate in a support group and probably should not be pressed to do so.