Cancer Peer Support Groups in Australia: A Review of Consumer Resources

Abstract

Cancer patients and carers have a recognized need for ongoing social support outside the confines of the healthcare setting in which they have received their diagnosis and treatment. Peer support groups have come to be recognized as a crucial part of the cancer support domain. While psychosocial support for patients was always considered an important part of cancer survivorship, the significance of community self-help and peer-to-peer support, rooted in principles of patient empowerment, has gained increased recognition. This article reviews information available online on cancer peer support groups in Australia, focusing on the presentation of the relevant information on the websites of cancer support organizations. It provides a snapshot of cancer peer support group activity in Australia. It aims to serve the information needs of cancer support navigators, coordinators and advocates who may be working in roles that involve sharing information about cancer peer support groups with patients and carers, as well as the information needs of patients and carers themselves. It offers a representative overview of cancer peer support group activity in Australia with the aim of facilitating further exploration of this domain.

Keywords:

• Australia
• cancer
• peer support groups
• support organizations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arjun Rajkhowa

Arjun Rajkhowa, PhD ([email protected]) works as Projects Coordinator - Cancer at the Cancer Network WA, North Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He has extensive experience as a volunteer in peer education workshop facilitation with an Australian health charity.

Anne Williams

Anne Williams, PhD, RN ([email protected]) is an Emerita Professor at the School of Nursing, College of Health and Education, Murdoch University, and the Acting Nurse Educator at the Cancer Network WA.

Kathleen O’Connor

Kathleen O’Connor, MPH, BSc ([email protected]) is Manager, Screening and Projects at the Cancer Network WA. Kathleen has worked in cancer diagnostics, screening and prevention for more than 30 years.

Karen Taylor

Karen Taylor, PhD, RN, MN, GAICD ([email protected]) is the Director of the Cancer Network WA. She has an extensive haematology/oncology nursing and research background.