Do Support Groups Help Cancer Patients? Benefits&Examples
The most important ingredient in cancer treatment is the treatment itself, of course. However, community support groups play a growing role in recovery, for patients, their families, and their caregivers alike.
(firmenpresse) - The Impossible TaskCancer places an unimaginable burden on the body of the patient, both in terms of direct impacts of the disease and the emotional toll it can take. There is, notably, more to the story though. The stress and anxiety caused by cancer can spread just as the disease itself does, expanding out into the community in a web of emotional and even physical pain.
Most commonly affected? Caregivers, and spouses in particular. But, if this is so, then shouldn t treatment extend to those individuals as well, who so often place their livelihoods on hold to help those who cannot help themselves?
Healing Through ConnectionsThe answer, of course, is yes; caregivers often carry a heavy emotional burden, as do spouses. This is why, as Prostaid Calgary - a prostate cancer advocacy group - is well aware, building community and resilience can be nearly as important as developing ongoing treatments.
This sentiment is corroborated by the NIH, who reported in 2017 on the vital importance of ??third spaces?" in cancer treatment; that is, spaces away from the home and hospital where patients can relax, feel an emotional connection, and enjoy their time together.
A Brief History Of "Third Spaces"This idea, the study states, originated in 1982 with a New York real estate broker named Harold Benjamin, a man whose wife had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. He found himself facing an impossible road ahead - to support himself, maintain his career, and stand at his wife s side through the treatment process.
Benjamin, inspired by this trauma, purchased a small building that would quickly become The Wellness Community, the very first mindfulness retreat for cancer patients and their families. The center s mission was a great success, attracting several high-profile voices from across New York City, including early SNL star Gilda Radner.
The legacy of The Wellness Community lives on in similar projects worldwide, including Prostaid Calgary and their partners.
How To Use "Third Spaces" EffectivelyWhile there is no "right way" to take advantage of these community-building programs, there are some commonly cited benefits that anyone seeking these connections should understand.
Mindfulness is an important part of the process. The focus should be placed on one s surroundings, things in the immediate area that can be controlled. Meditation is commonly helpful, as is yoga and other similar forms of bodywork.Socialization is another very important keyword here. The point of a "third space" is to connect with others who have similar lived experience. To meet on neutral ground, where the long shadow of the healthcare system can be, for a time, ignored: a place where laughter and joy can be shared, and memories made.Connection with nature is also recommended by experts when enjoying "third spaces". Even 30 minutes of outdoor time per day has been shown to significantly boost mood, even reducing risk factors for cancer-related depression and anxiety.The good news is that modern oncology is already adopting many of the principles that Harold Benjamin championed over 40 years ago. Widespread efforts are underway to make hospitals more comfortable, more inviting, and - most importantly - less sterile (aesthetically speaking). This is a step in the right direction for the industry, and will surely mean increased emotional stability for those who need it most: patients, their families, and their caregivers.
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Prostaid Calgary
Prostaid Calgary
https://prostaid.org/
1600 90 Avenue Southwest
Calgary
Canada
Datum: 06.10.2025 - 16:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 727462
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contact information:
Contact person: Richard Kaechele
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Calgary
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Typ of Press Release: Unternehmensinformation
type of sending: Veröffentlichung
Date of sending: 06/10/2025
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"Do Support Groups Help Cancer Patients? Benefits&Examples"
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