Is There an “Ideal Cancer” Support Group? Key Findings from a Qualitative Study of Three Groups

Abstract

The objective of this study was to study differently composed cancer support groups to generate insights into what groups are attractive to the widest range of participants, and how they might be best structured and composed. This study applied a qualitative design utilizing participant observation at three cancer support groups (a group for women with metastatic cancer, a colorectal cancer support group, and a group for Chinese cancer patients) and in-depth interviews (N = 23) with group members as the primary data collection methods. Despite the diverse composition of the groups, their perceived benefits were similar, and informants highlighted the information, acceptance, and understanding they received in the support group environment. However, gender and cultural differences were found in attendance patterns and the desired content of group meetings. Importantly, participants’ motivations for attending cancer support groups also changed as they moved through the treatment trajectory: over time the need for information was at least partially replaced by a need for support and understanding. This study supports prior research findings that there is no ideal support group, nor is there a “magical formula” for attracting and retaining a diverse audience. However, including an educational component in support groups may increase the participation of currently underrepresented populations such as men and patients from culturally diverse backgrounds.

KEYWORDS:

• support groups
• gender
• diversity
• ideal process and structure

This research on which the article is based was funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) New and Emerging Team Grant: “Palliative Care in a Cross Cultural Context: A New and Emerging Team (NET) for Equitable and Quality Cancer Care for Culturally Diverse Populations” (PET 69768). Ethical approval was obtained from the British Columbia Cancer Agency Research Ethics Board (#H07-01532) prior to commencing this study. The authors thank the participants in the support groups who made this study possible and who were so accommodating and open to the research project.