Online support groups give you regular contact with people who share and understand your experiences. Many sarcoma patients and carers feel isolated and alone. You may never have met or spoken to someone else with sarcoma. Groupspaces/sarcoma provides you with an opportunity to talk to other patients and carers, learn more about sarcoma, and get support for the issues and challenges you may be facing. Sarcoma patients and carers talk to each other by writing email messages that are sent to all members of the group. Alternatively, you can send a personal email to individual members of the group through your personal profile.

Click here to join an online sarcoma support group

There are a number of sarcoma support groups around the country and new ones starting up all the time. Support groups bring together people facing similar issues. While not everyone wants or needs support beyond that offered by family and friends, you may find it helpful to turn to others outside your immediate circle. A support group can help you cope better and feel less isolated as you make connections with others facing similar challenges. The benefits of participating in support groups may include:

• Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged
• Gaining a sense of empowerment and control
• Improving your coping skills and sense of adjustment
• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
• Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
• Developing a clearer understanding of what to expect with your situation
• Getting practical advice or information about treatment options
• Comparing notes about resources, such as doctors and alternative options

Click here to find a Sarcoma support group close to you

Sarcoma UK is the only charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma cancer. Their mission is to amplify sarcoma awareness, inspire involvement, and fund ground-breaking research to transform the lives of everyone affected by sarcoma. Their website contains lots of resources which you may find useful.

www.sarcoma.ork.uk 

Resources

• Sarcoma UK understanding bone sarcoma patient guide
• Sarcoma UK understanding retroperitoneal sarcoma patient guide
• Sarcoma UK understanding gist patient guide
• Sarcoma UK understanding gynaecological sarcomas
• Sarcoma UK understanding sarcoma: a new patient's guide
• Sarcoma UK rehabilitation for sarcoma patients factsheet
• Sarcoma UK following surgery factsheet
• Gynaecological sarcoma: the hidden cancer