Although breast cancer is a life-changing experience, it does not have to be a lonely one. While medical and psychosocial care are essential, they do not meet all the needs of those affected. Comfort and understanding are often found elsewhere , especially in the words of someone else who has been through the experience.
In this blog post, we invite you to discover why this solidarity are so vital.
Peer support: a unique strength
Some conversations are more meaningful when shared with others who have experienced the same thing. Peer support is based on this unique link between those who, each in their own way, have lived through the shock of the diagnosis, the treatments and the upheavals that follow.
Unlike healthcare professionals, peer supporters are not there to prescribe or treat. They offer something else: a human presence, a non-judgmental ear, and some simple words based on their own experience. This sharing helps you to feel understood, to normalize overwhelming emotions and to find a little hope in the midst of all the uncertainty.
Several studies have proven the benefits of peer support, which helps to:
- end the isolation,
- ease feelings of stress and anxiety,
- and encourage feelings of hope.
It also fosters a sense of belonging, by providing a place for connecting that encourages listening, understanding and the sharing of experiences. For many, this bond becomes a valuable resource that contributes to their overall well-being.
Support tailored to each individual situation
Peer support can take many forms. Some people prefer to talk in small groups; others feel more comfortable in one-to-one conversations. The important thing is to find the right kind of support, at the right time.
The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation offers a number of free services to meet these various needs:
- The Ligne rose is our confidential helpline staffed by trained listeners who have themselves lived through breast cancer. Whether you want to talk about your experience, ask questions or just be accompanied through a difficult period, it’s a safe, non-judgmental resource.
- Focus groups facilitated by our social worker, are private, warm and respectful settings where people can talk about the realities of breast cancer with others going through a similar experience.
- La Maison Rose, recently opened by the Foundation, is a welcoming place for people affected by breast cancer. It offers a warm and inclusive setting where people living with the disease and their family and friends can benefit from personalized support, find comfort, and freely share their experiences.
Various organizations across Quebec also offer peer support. These include, for example, the Rose des vents in Estrie region, the OGPAC (Organisme gaspésien des personnes atteintes de cancer) in the Gaspé region andRuban Rose Mauricie in Shawinigan. To find out about other resources near you, consult our Directory of Resources here.
Peer support can also take the form of services such as the patient-partner program. This service matches a person living with breast cancer with someone at a different stage of their journey.
The patient-partner then becomes a “guidepost,” a support source rooted in reality. Find out more about the PAROLE-Onco service at the CHUM here.
In short, there is no right or wrong way to seek support. Some people will find reassurance in a group; others in the attentive listening of a patient-partner. Whatever the form, the important thing is not to be alone.
Talking to someone who understands you can sometimes make all the difference.
Highlights:
- Peer support breaks the isolation and reduces the stress and anxiety associated with the disease.
- This support is based on a unique bond: that of shared experience.
- There are several forms of peer support at the Foundation: the Pink Line, focus groups, La Maison Rose, and more!
- Go at your own pace: There’s no one right way to seek support.
- Talking to someone who really understands can make all the difference. A simple conversation can ease an invisible burden.
References
- Hoey, L. M., Ieropoli, S. C., White, V. M., & Jefford, M. (2008). Systematic review of peer-support programs for people with cancer. Patient Education and Counseling, 70(3), 315–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2007.11.016
- Giese-Davis, J., Bliss-Isberg, C., Carson, W., Star, P., Donaghy, J., Cordova, M. J., … & Spiegel, D. (2006). The effect of peer counseling on quality of life following diagnosis of breast cancer: An observational study. Psycho-Oncology, 15(11), 1014–1022. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1037
- Ussher, J. M., Kirsten, L., Butow, P., & Sandoval, M. (2006). What do cancer support groups provide which other supportive relationships do not? The experience of peer support groups for people with cancer. Social Science & Medicine, 62(10), 2565–2576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.10.034
- Hu, J., Wang, X., Guo, S. et al. Peer support interventions for breast cancer patients: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Res Treat 174, 325–341 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-018-5033-2
- Ziegler, E. , Hill, J., Lieske, et al. (2023). Empowerment in cancer patients: Does peer support make a difference? A systematic review. Psycho‐Oncology, 31(5), 683-704. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5869
- Kiemen A, Czornik M, Weis J. How effective is peer-to-peer support in cancer patients and survivors? A systematic review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2023 Sep;149(11):9461-9485. doi: 10.1007/s00432-023-04753-8. Epub 2023 Apr 30. PMID: 37120782; PMCID: PMC10374798.
- Freund, K. M., Battaglia, T. A., Calhoun, E., Darnell, J. S., Dudley, D. J., Fiscella, K., … & Raich, P. C. (2014). Impact of patient navigation on timely cancer care: The Patient Navigation Research Program. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 106(6), dju115. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/dju115