Support Groups and Interventions

• Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better survival among women with breast cancer participating in support groups
• No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on survival among people with cancer participating in support groups with their family caregivers in a combined analysis of studies

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What is your body terrain? ›

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better cortisol levels among men participating in a bereavement support group, not specific to people with cancer
• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher immune activation among people experiencing a stressful situation participating in a support group, not specific to people with cancer
• No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on some immune function markers during radio-chemotherapy or radiotherapy among people with cancer participating in a support-group intervention in a preliminary study

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Good or modest evidence of benefit

• Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better social and emotional aspects of quality of life among people with cancer participating in interventions including their family caregivers
• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better well-being, better information before treatment, better attitude, and less helplessness/hopelessness among people with breast cancer engaging in online communities and groups
• Modest evidence of less urinary leakage and less severe incontinence symptoms among men with prostate cancer with persistent urinary incontinence participating in an intervention of biofeedback and a support group
• Modest evidence of better quality of life and function among people with prostate cancer participating in an online or phone-based support group
• Modest evidence of less anxiety among people with breast cancer participating in in-person support groups
• Modest evidence of greater well-being, more life purpose or satisfaction, and/or physical or psychological function among people with breast cancer participating in support groups but not a residential intervention focused on education and training
• Modest evidence of less stress or distressemotional, social, spiritual, or physical pain or suffering that may cause a person to feel sad, afraid, depressed, anxious, or lonely; people in distress may also feel that they are not able to manage or cope with changes caused by normal life activities or by having a disease, such as cancer among women with breast cancer participating in an in-person group

Preliminary evidence of benefit

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of fewer symptoms during adjuvanttreatment applied after initial treatment for cancer, especially to suppress secondary tumor formation chemotherapy following surgical treatment among women with breast cancer participating in a structured walking program and support group
• Preliminary evidence of better control of symptoms among people with recurrent or persistent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer with 3 or more symptoms, most of whom were undergoing chemotherapy, participating in an 8-week web-based symptom self-management intervention (WRITE Symptoms), either facilitated by a nurse or fully computer-mediated
• Preliminary evidence of better long-term cognitive function among women participating in a residential support group intervention after primary breast cancer treatment
• Preliminary (conflicting) evidence of less depression or better mood among people with breast cancer participating in support groups
• Preliminary evidence of less mood disturbance, greater confidant support, and greater marital satisfaction among people with early stage breast cancer whose partners participated in a brief psychoeducational group program, and of less mood disturbance among the partners
• Preliminary evidence of less depression among men with prostate cancer participating in one-on-one peer support
• Preliminary evidence of small decreases in fatigue among people with breast cancer participating in in-person, online, or phone-based support intervention
• Preliminary evidence of increased functioning among men with prostate cancer participating in an intervention of pelvic floor muscle exercises and a support group
• Preliminary evidence of better self-efficacybelief in your ability to control your own behavior, emotions, and motivations among people with cancer participating in one-on-one peer support
• Preliminary evidence of better information while preparing for treatment and benefit regarding sexuality needs among women with gynecological cancer participating in nurse-led consultations plus peer-led telephone sessions
• Preliminary evidence of a small effect for less sexual distress among women sexually distressed subsequent to gynecologic cancer participating in an online discussion forum
• Preliminary evidence of better body image among women after primary breast cancer treatment participating in a residential support group intervention
• Preliminary evidence of small decreases in sleep disturbance among people with breast cancer participating in telephone sessions of education/support
• Preliminary evidence of fewer symptoms of stress among women with breast cancer receiving a supportive community-based workbook-journal
• Preliminary evidence of more future perspective among women with breast cancer participating in a residential support group
• Preliminary evidence of fewer unmet information needs among women at genetic risk of breast cancer participating in a one-on-one peer support

No evidence of benefit

• No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on feelings of hopelessnesss, fatigue, or pain among people with cancer participating in interventions including their family caregivers in a combined analysis of studies
• No evidence of an effect on anxiety among people participating in a group emotional and educational intervention in a preliminary study
• No evidence of an effect on anxiety after recent surgery among people with newly diagnosed breast cancer participating in one-on-one peer support interventions in a preliminary study
• No evidence of an effect on depression during the 5 weeks after surgery among people with breast cancer participating in one-on-one peer support in a preliminary study
• No evidence of an effect on sexual function, sexuality needs, sexual self-confidence, masculine self-esteem, marital satisfaction, or intimacy after surgery among heterosexual couples in which the man had been diagnosed with prostate cancer participating in an intervention of either peer-delivered telephone support or nurse-delivered telephone counseling in a preliminary study

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We did not find any published research investigating support groups for reducing cancer risk.

• Strongly recommended in a clinical practice guideline as part of a multimodal approach
• Used in several of our program sources

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• Generally safe, with minor concerns

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• Support groups are widely available in many communities and online.
• Generally low to moderate cost (less than $2000 US/year); many groups are free of cost.

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