Mesothelioma Support

While treatment for mesothelioma is extremely important in surviving the disease, so is a solid mesothelioma support system. A mesothelioma support system caters for the emotional side of mesothelioma. It is essential for patients, caregivers, family and friends to find comfort in these support groups.

Why Mesothelioma support is necessary

A person recently diagnosed with any form of mesothelioma experiences a number of feelings and emotions. Such feeling may be a combination or all of the following emotions:

• Anger
• Depression
• Stress
• Confusion
• Denial

Thus support groups provide patients as well as caregivers with a variety of resources to deal with these emotions so as to bring comfort to individuals, in knowing that they are not alone.

Mesothelioma Support Group

In support groups patients with any form of mesothelioma share and discuss their feelings and/or challenges with others in similar situations. For caregivers a support network is of utmost importance. Caregivers have emotional needs that need fulfilling and support groups address their needs and help them cope. Further, caregivers give of their time and energy to care for the patient, this can be overwhelming and sap their strength; thus support groups are a form of refueling to caregivers.

There are two types of mesothelioma support groups available:

• General support – general support deals with emotional care and is characterized by discussions and sharing of experiences, feeling and/or challenges
• Medical support – this is specialized support for individual therapy and medication for anxiety and depression. Doctors and mental health specialists provide such support. They assist patients and their loved ones to identify any signs of distress and give tools to care for such situations.

Studies show that people with terminal cancer who are part of support groups have higher survival rates and increased quality of life.

While support groups provide the needed emotional care for patients, treatment is of the utmost importance for all mesothelioma patients.