Cancer treatment can be equal parts scary, emotionally draining and physically exhausting but finding ways to get help for the psychological aspects of the diagnosis can be just as daunting.
Some patients are getting help through an innovative made-in-B.C. program that connects patients with similar conditions and challenges across the country through weekly online text-based chats.
Dr. Joanne Stephen described the CancerChatCanada program she helped develop as a "support group without borders." A psychosocial oncology program clinician scientist with the BC Cancer Agency, Stephen said the professionally moderated text-based chats give people the anonymity to share their experiences more freely and the convenience to get help in their own home.
"Writing things out instead of talking is sometimes very helpful, it allows people time to formulate what they're going to say," Stephen explained. "It allows them to say things that are too scary to say out loud and it helps them organize their thoughts and they don't feel judged."
Since the conversation is entirely written, Stephen said the participants don't have to worry about being recognized in the community by other members of the group.
The support groups meet weekly and hold 10 sessions of about 90 minutes each. The members discuss issues important to them in their lives and share ways to deal with some of the emotional challenges of dealing with a cancer diagnosis or watching a loved one go through cancer treatment.
The groups number around eight people each and are assembled based on common interests or experiences. It could be people who have been diagnosed with rare forms of cancer, or people who fall ill at a young age or caregivers preparing to deal with end-of-live issues for a loved one.
Priority is placed on people who will not be able to receive support through traditional channels, either because it's not available where they live or because it's too difficult for them to get to a meeting outside of their home.
"If someone is really fatigued and just dragged out from their treatment, the thought of getting dressed and putting on makeup and travelling is too much, so they just wouldn't go," Stephen said. "There are people that are so unwell that they simply wouldn't go to a video link."
Since the program was developed in B.C. and is well-known within the B.C. Cancer Agency, about half of the participants at any given time hail from this province. There's also roughly an even split between urban dwellers and people who live in northern or remote locations.
It's not just the participants who come from across the country, the groups are also led by cancer care professionals from different parts of Canada. Stephen said the unique cross-provincial partnerships give the participants a glimpse of what's happening in other jurisdictions.
The initial online group trials began in 2007 and the CancerChatCanada website went live in 2010. Over the years, 700 people have gone through the program, with about 40 currently enrolled in active groups. With funding in place and a growing awareness across the country, Stephen said more groups are expected to continue to spring up.
"In the last year we have almost doubled, which in turn was doubling from the year before," Stephen said. "I expect over the next two years we'll be able to double again."
There can be a waiting list to get in a group, depending on demand at any given time. People interested in taking part can either get referred by a physician or self-refer by visiting the organization's website at cancerchatcanada.ca
