How to Find a Mouth Cancer Support Group

Mouth, or oral, cancer is a form of cancer that affects the tissues of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums or other areas of the oral cavity. There are support groups for people who have recently been diagnosed with oral cancer, for people being treated and for mouth cancer survivors.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Recognize the Reasons to Join a Support Group

1. Realize that survivors and their families have many questions and concerns that should be addressed by qualified people who have encountered similar situations.

2. Understand that depression, anger and helplessness are common side effects of dealing with cancer.

3. Be aware that concerns about financial issues, maintaining a job and upholding personal relationships are normal.

4. Use support group members to help you sustain the necessary lifestyle adjustments you may experience after a diagnosis of mouth cancer. For example, you may need to exercise continued vigilance against a recurrence of symptoms, and support group members can help remind you to take care of yourself or help you deal with your anxieties if you become fearful that symptoms are returning.

Know What Types of Support Groups Exist

5. See a licensed counselor, therapist or social worker for one-on-one support.

6. Speak with a member of the clergy if your faith is a support system for you.

7. Learn about online support groups. Support groups that exist as chat groups and that use email correspondence are both available.

8. Join a support group specifically for mouth cancer patients to help yourself cope with the different stages in the treatment and recovery processes.

Find a Support Group That is Right for You

9. Talk to professionals rather than family members. Worrying about how others are dealing with your illness can be an additional stress on you.

10. Explore support groups made up of cancer survivors who have been through the same things you have.

11. Contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER to find support groups.

12. Search online for a mouth cancer support group near you.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to seeking out support, regularly scheduled doctor's appointments should be part of the recovery process to ensure that the cancer has not returned.
• Be sure to ask your doctor about long term effects as well as any other concerns you may have in order to help you with the healing and recovery process.
• Know that you have the right to fair employment and cannot be treated unfairly because of your history with cancer.
• Realize that depression and anxiety about your cancer treatment and recovery can be detrimental to the healing process and your attention to treating these symptoms should be taken as seriously as the cancer itself.

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