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Should I join a metastatic support group?

Page last modified on: May 27, 2009

Question from Deborah: Roz, my cancer has now spread to my chest wall. I am having major panic attacks about how I will be able to afford treatment. Should I now start coming to the metastatic cancer group led by you at Sloan? You might want to share with others what these groups are like. I think it would be beneficial. You helped me a lot in the non-metastatic group. What you are offering has been a lifesaver.: Answers —Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W.: If the group was helpful, and I'm glad that it was, certainly the group for metastatic women will be helpful. We actually have two of them: one for young women and one for the older crowd, because the issues can be very different. The issue of cost I'm not sure I understand, because it's always covered by health insurance. For those that don't have health insurance, if you qualify there's Medicaid, but I would urge you, Deborah, to call me and we'll work this out. I understand people with metastatic disease, particularly those newly diagnosed, are in a panic. The issue of health insurance we can tackle. And with time and the help of other women, you can see that it's possible to have a fulfilling life and deal with cancer. At this point, we look at it as a chronic illness.; Mitch Golant, Ph.D.: For others who, sadly, might not be able to join Roz's groups, there are a couple of other resources. The Wellness Community has a book available online called Frankly Speaking About Advanced Breast Cancer. It was produced in collaboration with Living Beyond Breast Cancer. You can download that book at www.thewellnesscommunity.org. Second, if there's an issue of insurance (and it may be around copay of treatment), there are patient assistance programs run by pharmaceutical companies. You can actually access all the various programs for those who are underinsured, non-insured, or low-income at the following Web site: www.rxassist.org.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Fear and Anxiety. Mitch Golant, Ph.D. and Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. answered your questions about dealing with fear and reducing the stresses that can accompany breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Mitch Golant, Ph.D. is a health psychologist and senior vice president of research and development for the national office of The Wellness Community, which provides free psychological and emotional support to help people with cancer on their path to recovery. His research focuses on the benefits of online and community support groups for women with breast cancer.

Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. is administrative supervisor for psychosocial programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Lauder Breast Center in New York City, where she leads weekly support groups for women with early and advanced breast cancer.