The opportunity to exchange information with those who have already weathered colorectal cancer can provide you with the knowledge to question your treatment and seek medical help elsewhere. Support groups are an immeasurably useful way to do this, bringing together a variety of skills, including medical and legal knowledge. Support groups are offered locally in many areas by groups such as the American Cancer Society, the Wellness Community, the United Ostomy Association, or local hospitals. Telephone support groups are overseen by several of the nonprofits dedicated to curing cancer. Local, telephone, and Internet support groups have their advantages and disadvantages.
Many people use several.
If you're in a local support group, you're likely to have a stream of visitors if you're hospitalized, and friends to offer you instrumental support such as help with groceries or baby-sitting. Often, members trade phone numbers and form deep friendships. The disadvantages of local support groups are that they usually contain only a small number of people, perhaps ten or less, and only meet at certain times of the week or month. The smallness of the group can affect the quality of the information shared. For example, if no group member has traveled for care, you'll have to make your travel plans with less foreknowledge.