Support Groups for Colorectal Cancer Patients

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Did You Know?

Social and emotional support is associated with better overall health. Equipping patients and caregivers with information provides the understanding and confidence required to ask important questions about treatments and overall prognosis. Colorectal Cancer Canada is actively creating virtual support communities throughout Canada. Our goal is to ensure patients and caregivers are informed about the disease, empowered by this knowledge and receive the support necessary to be active participants in their care.

Across Canada, more than two million people are now involved in information/support groups.

People who have social support are more likely to be healthier than those who do not.

What you can expect from attending our groups:

  • Presentation and discussion of clinical and psychosocial topics related to colorectal cancer care, covering all stages of the disease.
    We seek to arm patients with up-to-date information on treatments and advances in the field. We believe this encourages thoughtful dialogue between patients and their treating oncologists and helps them to make informed decisions about their cancer care.

  • Cancer Care updates
    Group members are encouraged to share information about their journey, addressing concerns with respect to treatments or side effects, fears, nutrition, post treatment follow-up care or any other issue they feel worthy for discussion. Through shared experiences, moderator and members will assist each patient in exploring their questions and concerns.
  • A safe and supportive environment to ask questions and explore both the psychological and emotional impact of the disease
    The thought of cancer never goes away and these monthly sessions allow me to process thoughts and come out on the right side. Kind of like a reality check on life.

Benefits reported by patients who have attended our information/support groups:

  • Learning more about cancer
  • Learning more about resources for people with cancer
  • Feeling that life is more meaningful
  • Being able to cope with illness and medical procedures
  • Having a better perspective on illness
  • Being more aware of needs
  • Being able to talk about cancer
  • Being able to talk with family and friends about cancer
  • Feeling physically stronger
  • Feeling more empowered or able to make decisions
  • Being less isolated
  • Being more active, socially and physically

Join a Group

Below is a list of colorectal cancer information/support groups currently operating in Canada. Should you wish to inquire about them or do not see one that operates in your community, do not hesitate to contact us to see if one has just started running in your city or if if we can help you find one near you.

National Support Group in French

Open to all stages of colorectal cancer and for patients at any point in the care trajectory.

Join our Patient Support Specialist on the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST via Zoom platform. Patient-focused presentations on a variety of clinical and psychosocial topics followed by Q & A discussions and an opportunity for peer support.

Early Age Onset Group (Under 50 at diagnosis)

An increase in diagnoses of early age onset colorectal cancer has brought forward the importance of addressing clinical and psychosocial issues unique to this younger group.

Led by our Patient Support Specialist on the first Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST via Zoom platform, we explore topics of interest to this community, through a series of presentations followed by Q & A/discussions.

National Support Group (50+ at diagnosis)

Open to all stages of colorectal cancer and for patients at any point in the care trajectory.

Join our Patient Support Specialist on the last Monday of each month from 7-9 PM EST via Zoom platform. Patient-focused presentations on a variety of clinical and psychosocial topics followed by Q & A discussions and an opportunity for peer support.

Caregiver Support Group

Has someone you know and care for been touched by colorectal cancer? Do you sometimes struggle with how to support them while honoring your own emotional needs and managing your concerns?

You are not alone. Our caregiver support group meets on the first Wednesday of each month, from 7-9 PM ET, via Zoom platform.

Led by our Patient Support Specialist, we offer presentations on a variety of caregiver-focused topics, a follow up discussion and individual check ins.

In-Treatment Support Group

Our latest addition to the virtual support program, our in-treatment group offers educational as well as peer support for patients of any age and at any stage of the disease.

Led by our Patient Support Specialist, this group addresses the concerns and challenges that patients face throughout the treatment process.

This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 1-3 PM EST, via Zoom platform.

Ottawa, Ontario (now virtual)

The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s MapleSoft GumDocs Centre, 1500 Alta Vista Drive.

Colorectal cancer patients, survivors and caregivers meet monthly to provide information and share their authentic lived experience. 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Meetings (on the second Tuesday of every month)

For more information please contact Robert Hamilton

robert.hamilton3@icloud.com
(613) 314-1395

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Feedback From Patients And Caregivers

Moderated by our Patient Support Specialist, monthly meetings are held where patients, caregivers and their families can learn, share experiences, and support one another.

Sharing ones own experience in a non judgemental environment is a kind of healing.

Ian

Initially I wasn’t sure how the virtual format would work, but now that I’m used to it, it hasn’t been an impediment at all. The conversation flows easily, and the meetings go fast. Meeting virtually allows us to meet more frequently and makes it possible to invite guests which wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Michelle And Dave

I would say that I have learned so much more about cancer than I knew before. Most importantly, I think there is a special connection between cancer survivors, that you can only understand if you’ve lived the experience.

Michelle And Dave

The presentations have given a great incite into medical advances and learnings about colorectal cancers. I think the knowledge aspect is key to accepting and understanding what can happen.

Ian

Peer support is a supportive relationship between people who have a lived experience in common. It was one that resonated strongly with me and my personal beliefs. … I felt strongly that my fight with colorectal cancer would be of practical use and I could empower another human being and provide hope with my own insights and lived experience. I thought that support couldn’t get much better than that. … I have been forever changed by CCC’s help, knowledge and empathy. I plan to continue to embody the key messages of their support program in a variety of ways as I move forward, cancer free. I hope that you too can help CCC support other patients and their families as they are faced with cancer. Together we can make a difference!

Kathy Torunksi’s Story