Personally connecting with other people, especially those who have gone through what you’re going through, can lead to feeling empowered and more in control. Support groups can provide a safe place to talk about cancer-related issues that are impacting your life and gain valuable information. Some of the groups below offer one-on-one support from a professional social worker or trained cancer survivor, while others provide support from a group setting.
Bile Duct Cancer
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
Bile Duct Cancer
This organization’s mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by cholangiocarcinoma. Meet thousands of users on their topical discussion boards.
Smart Patients
Bile Duct Cancer
General Cancer Support Groups
This online community where patients and families affected by a variety of illnesses can learn from each other about treatments, challenges, and how it all fits into the context of their experience. The bile duct cancer community is a peer-to-peer online support group where patients and their families share their experiences and research the latest medical science for their condition.
Bladder Cancer
American Bladder Cancer Society
Bladder Cancer
The American Bladder Cancer Society was born from the hope of survivors of this often overlooked and underserved disease that the future could be made easier for those that came after them. They offer a forum with community support and the opportunity to exchange information and ideas.
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
Bladder Cancer
BCAN provides education and support programs for those living with bladder cancer, as well as funds innovative research. Join their community on Inspire for online support.
Brain Cancer
American Brain Tumor Association
Brain Tumors
The American Brain Tumor Association was the first and is the only national organization committed to funding brain tumor research and providing support and education programs for all tumor types and all age groups. Join their community on Inspire for online support.
Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
Brain Tumors
Children
Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation believes in the connections and support which can only be provided by people who have shared similar journeys. They offer monthly online chats for caregivers, brain tumor survivors, and for bereaved caregivers.
The Healing Exchange Brain Trust
Brain Tumors
The mission of The Healing Exchange BRAIN TRUST is to improve quality of life for people living with brain tumors and related conditions today. They host discussion groups for specific types of brain tumors.
Meningioma Mommas
Brain Tumors
This organization aims to provide support and valuable resources to all those affected by meningioma brain tumors. Get in touch with others in the community by joining their online forum.
Breast Cancer
Advanced Breast Cancer Community
Breast Cancer
Join the Inspire support group for the Advanced Breast Cancer Community, whose focus is on women living with advanced breast cancer facing different experiences and unique needs than those living with earlier stages of the disease.
After Breast Cancer Diagnois (ABCD)
Breast Cancer
ABCD provides free one-to-one mentoring and resources for anyone impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis, from people who’ve been there.
ALAS-WINGS
Breast Cancer
Hispanic/Latino Community
This group’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for the Latino community by providing breast health awareness, education, and emotional support programs for Hispanic/Latina women and their families. It is a place that provides empathic, emotional support for Hispanic/Latinas faced with breast cancer. These virtual support groups are facilitated in Spanish.
American Cancer Society’s Reach To Recovery
Breast Cancer
One-On-One
This program connects people facing breast cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship, with trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors. Through their website and app, you can create an online profile and match with a volunteer who has experienced a similar type of breast cancer, stage, and treatment. Volunteers do not provide medical advice. This is a free program.
Breastcancer.Org
Breast Cancer
Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Share stories and information with others on their discussion boards.
Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
Ovarian Cancer
Breast Cancer
One-On-One
FORCE’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers. Visit their message boards to meet and discuss your situation with other people who have faced similar hereditary cancer concerns.
HER2 Support
Breast Cancer
This is a support group for patients, caregivers, mothers, daughters, sons and husbands of breast cancer survivors who are HER2 positive. Join their online community by participating in their online forum.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
This organization aims to provide information, community and support that you can trust, is easy for you to access and respectful of you and your situation. Find the right kind of online support for your needs, from online chats to social media to webinars and more.
MyBCTeam
Breast Cancer
MyBCTeam is a social network and online support group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Connect with over 50,000 members who are living with breast cancer. One support group member said, “You are sure to find another woman whose story closely resembles your own.”
Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer
This group offers an online support community through its closed Facebook group. The group provides a place where those with a connection to breast cancer can discuss each other’s experiences and build strong relationships to provide support to each other. From those newly diagnosed to long-term survivors, all are welcome. Visit Facebook and search “Komen Breast Cancer group” to request to join the closed group of 5,700 people.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation
Breast Cancer
The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® is dedicated to supporting TNBC-specific research and to providing meaningful programs and services to the TNBC community. Get connected in their online forum.
Young Survival Coalition
Breast Cancer
This group helps young women with breast cancer stand strong against the many unique challenges that this group faces. They provide information, resources, and support from diagnosis through long-term survivorship and educate and empower young women to be their own best health advocate. Communicate with others in their online forums, video support group, or private Facebook group that has nearly 48,000 followers.
Cervical Cancer
Daily Strength Cervical Cancer Support Group
Cervical Cancer
This is a place to talk about your experience with cervical cancer. Worldwide, it is the second most common cancer of women. They offer over 25 different support groups by type of cancer.
National Cervical Cancer Coalition: Cervical Cancer And HPV Support Group And Discussion Community
Cervical Cancer
This organization’s mission is to help women, family members and caregivers battle the personal issues related to cervical cancer and HPV and to advocate for cervical health in all women by promoting prevention through education about early vaccination, Pap testing and HPV testing when recommended.
SHARE Cancer Support
Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Hispanic/Latino Community
SHARE is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to serving women of all races and cultures, backgrounds and identities. They offer educational programs and online support groups in English and Spanish for any woman diagnosed with breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, or metastatic breast cancer. Their community includes knowledgeable survivors, women living with cancer, and healthcare professionals.
Colorectal Cancer
Ally To Ally
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s secure, private website for community sharing, discussion, and service. They have a national network of survivors and advocates who stand ready to be your ally. Their ranks are continually growing, with more survivors and supporters joining each day. Whether you need help today or are ready to help others—there is tremendous strength in our community.
Colon Cancer Alliance: Blue Hope Nation
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
The Colon Cancer Alliance is focused on prevention, funding cutting-edge research and providing the highest quality patient support services. Blue Hope Nation is their private Facebook support community where you can connect with thousands of other patients, survivors, friends, and family members from across the world who know exactly what you’re going through.
Colon Cancer Alliance: Patient & Family Support Group Chat
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
They offer five chats moderated by Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s certified patient and family support navigators. They believe that there is nothing like talking to someone who has been through a similar situation. If you need help, or would like to provide hope and help to someone going through colorectal cancer, they invite you to join their support group chat.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance Buddy Program
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
One-On-One
This group matches a survivor with a person with colorectal cancer. In addition to receiving emotional support, people with cancer learn about treatment, side effects, and other important issues. The program’s certified Patient & Family Support Navigators connect you with a vetted Buddy who has been through a similar diagnosis to offer meaningful and useful advice that helped them get through colorectal cancer.
United Ostomy Associations Of America
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
Some cancers such as colorectal, prostate, ovarian, uterine, cervical, or bladder cancer may affect parts of the digestive or urinary system and impair your ability to go to the bathroom and you may need an ostomy. This nonprofit organization supports, empowers, and advocates for people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. They have several online support groups.
Eye Cancer
Ocular Melanoma Foundation
Eye Cancer
OMF offers three resources: (1) the Patient Forum allows patients, their friends and loved ones, and even doctors to interact with each other, share valuable treatment information, and learn more about OM in a secure environment. This interactive social network has about 2,000 active members; (2) the many social media outlets they administer, including a very active Facebook group that is closed to just OM patients and caregivers, and (3) a range of assistance programs that help to provide financial support when needed by OM patients and their family.
The Eye Cancer Foundation
Eye Cancer
This organization is an educational and supportive resource for eye cancer patients, their families, and physicians. They have a very active Facebook group with more than 3,000 members and dozens of new posts each week. Join the Eye Cancer Network on Facebook or search their message board archives.
Head and Neck Cancer
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International
Head and Neck Cancer
This nonprofit ACC patient support organization aims to create a worldwide community of ACC patients and supporters who share information, support, and hope while working together to develop a cure for ACC. They offer an e-mail-based support group and one on Facebook.
Head And Neck Cancer Alliance
Head and Neck Cancer
With a mission to advance prevention, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of oral, head, and neck cancer through public awareness, research, advocacy, and survivorship, HNCA has a large online community.
The Oral Cancer Foundation
Head and Neck Cancer
This organization’s focus is on contributing to the reduction of suffering, permanent physical damage and disfigurement, and death caused by cancer. Chat with others in the community in their support forum.
WebWhispers
Head and Neck Cancer
A support group for both laryngectomees and cancer patients who have lost their voice or become a neck breather. Their program, WebWhispers, offers an e-mail list and a forum for members to communicate.
Leukemia
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Leukemia
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hogdkin’s disease, and myeloma, as well as supporting all those affected. Join the conversation on one of their discussion boards or online chats.
MyLeukemiaTeam
Leukemia
This is a free social network that connects you with others who have been in your shoes, to provide emotional support and gain practical advice and insights on managing treatment or therapies for leukemia.
The Patti Robinson Kaufmann First Connection Program
Leukemia
This is a free service of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) that introduces patients and their loved ones to a trained peer volunteer who has gone through a similar experience. Patients and their family members are matched with peer volunteers based on diagnosis, age, gender, and other factors that might create a mutual understanding and ease of communication.
Lung Cancer
American Lung Association
Lung Cancer
Through research, education and advocacy, the American Lung Association seeks to improve lives and prevent disease. Join their Inspire online support group to share with others in the fight against lung cancer.
Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF)
Lung Cancer
This patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven group is dedicated to research, education, early detection, and treatment of lung cancer. Join with others in their monthly Living Room chats.
Lung Cancer Research Foundation
Lung Cancer
In collaboration with Cancer Hope Network, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation offers lung cancer patients and caregivers the opportunity to be matched with a trained volunteer cancer survivor or caregiver who has been through a similar experience.
LUNGevity
Lung Cancer
This foundation funds scientific research and seeks to empower lung cancer patients in their treatment process. Meet many others in one of their discussion forums.
Lymphoma
International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF)
Lymphoma
This patient-founded and patient-led nonprofit organization’s goal is to support those diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) and help find a cure. Chat with others in their IWMF-Talk online discussion forums.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lymphoma
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hogdkin’s disease, and myeloma, as well as supporting all those affected. Join the conversation on one of their discussion boards or online chats.
Lymphoma.com
Lymphoma
Browse basic educational information here and connect with others in the support and help forums. They believe the better informed you are, the better decisions you’re able to make.
MDS
MDS Foundation
MDS (Blood Cancer)
Founded by physicians and researchers sharing information about MDS this group connects patients with treatment and hospital referrals. They have an active patient message board.
Melanoma
AIM At Melanoma
Melanoma
This is the largest international melanoma foundation globally engaged and locally invested in advancing the battle against melanoma through research, legislative reform, education, and patient and caregiver support. Join their Facebook community.
Melanoma Research Foundation
Melanoma
The MRF is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting medical research and providing information to patients about melanoma. Register on their Melanoma Patients Information Page to join their online melanoma community.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Guide
Mesothelioma
This resource was created to guide mesothelioma patients and their loved ones toward answers, information, and healthcare solutions. Join others on one of their recommended online support groups.
Mesothelioma.Net
Mesothelioma
This organization is an advocacy and support group dedicated to providing the latest in cancer research, treatment, and aid. Emotional health and coping with mesothelioma are important aspects of care for patients. Mesothelioma.net offers assistance locating a mesothelioma support group in your area. Fill out a contact form on their website for a free Mesothelioma Information Packet.
Multiple Myeloma
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Myeloma
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hogdkin’s disease, and myeloma, as well as supporting all those affected. Join the conversation on one of their discussion boards or online chats.
Ovarian Cancer
CancerCare Support Groups
Ovarian Cancer
Connect with others in support groups for cancer patients, loved ones and people who have lost a loved one, led by oncology social workers. Check their website often to see when online groups are forming.
Facing Our Risk Of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
Ovarian Cancer
Breast Cancer
One-On-One
FORCE’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers. Visit their message boards to meet and discuss your situation with other people who have faced similar hereditary cancer concerns.
My Ovarian Cancer Team
Ovarian Cancer
A social network for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They offer emotional support and provide practical advice and insights on managing treatment or therapies for ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Ovarian Cancer
Soon to join with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to become the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, this organization aims to connect survivors, women at risk, caregivers and healthcare professionals with the information and resources they need. Join their support group on Inspire to reach others in the same fight.
SHARE Cancer Support
Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Hispanic/Latino Community
SHARE is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to serving women of all races and cultures, backgrounds and identities. They offer educational programs and online support groups in English and Spanish for any woman diagnosed with breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, or metastatic breast cancer. Their community includes knowledgeable survivors, women living with cancer, and healthcare professionals.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Pancreatic Cancer
This group’s main goal is to double the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020 through funding research, advocacy efforts, patient education, and a personalized medicine service. Choose from one of their recommended online support groups.
Prostate Cancer
Malecare
Prostate Cancer
Malecare is America’s leading men’s cancer survivor support and advocacy national nonprofit organization. Meet other men facing cancer in their online support group for advanced prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Prostate Cancer
PCF is dedicated to accelerating research for better treatment and a cure for prostate cancer. They offer support groups that come in many shapes and sizes. Some are large online communities with many people to answer your questions. Some are sometimes facilitated by a mental health professional, a person diagnosed with an illness, the family of someone diagnosed, or a medical expert in the specific field. They can be held in person, online, or by phone.
Us TOO
Prostate Cancer
Us TOO’s mission is to provide hope and improve the lives of those affected by prostate cancer through support, education and advocacy/awareness. Communicate with others on their Inspire discussion boards.
Sarcoma
GIST Support International
Sarcoma
GSI is an all-volunteer group of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST cancer), family members, friends, and interested professionals. Sign up for one of their e-mail-based communication channels.
Sarcoma Alliance Facebook Support Community
Sarcoma
The Sarcoma Alliance strives to improve the lives of people affected by sarcoma through accurate diagnosis, improved access to care, guidance, education, and support. They offer an online support community through its Facebook page.
Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
Debbie’s Dream Foundation
Stomach Cancer
This organization is dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and care partners. Join others on their Inspire discussion boards.
Thyroid Cancer
Light Of Life Foundation
Thyroid Cancer
Their mission is to improve the quality of life of thyroid cancer patients through continual education of the lay public and the medical community, and by promoting research and development to improve thyroid cancer care. Join other survivors on their Facebook support group which has 4,000 members.
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association
Thyroid Cancer
This organization seeks to educate, communicate, and support research about thyroid cancer. Subscribe to one of their e-mail support groups or communicate with others on Inspire.
Uterine Cancer
SHARE Cancer Support
Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Uterine Cancer
Hispanic/Latino Community
SHARE is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to serving women of all races and cultures, backgrounds and identities. They offer educational programs and online support groups in English and Spanish for any woman diagnosed with breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, or metastatic breast cancer. Their community includes knowledgeable survivors, women living with cancer, and healthcare professionals.
