If you join either type of group, you are always free to stop attending if you don't find it helpful. Support groups for people with cancer and their families are set up in a number of different ways. Sometimes all members will have the same diagnosis, such as a group for women with breast cancer. Sometimes everyone will be in the same age range, such as a group for young adults with cancer. No matter how the group is organized, the basic goal is to help people learn more about dealing with cancer-related problems.
Some people are unsure about what happens in a support group.
Usually members will talk about their concerns and problems and share ideas about how to cope. If you are not naturally a talkative person or are uncomfortable with groups, it is okay to be quiet and just listen. It takes a while for most people to feel comfortable, but eventually the trust that group members begin to feel will make it easier to participate. Cancer can make people feel isolated from the rest of the world. It often helps to know that others have similar thoughts and feelings and that you are not that different after all.