Coping with Cancer

June 26, 2023 2:40 pm

Philipsburg – Dr. Naira Chobanyan Md, Ph.D., SC.D., an oncologist, and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the American University School of Medicine of the Caribbean (AUC) will be the guest speaker at the 2nd Breast Cancer Support Group meeting. The topic is coping with cancer. The next support group meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 7 pm at the SFC/R4CR/4C Foundation on A. T. Illidge Road #60.

The Still Beautiful Foundation collaborating with the Positive Foundation and the Elektralyets Foundation launched the breast cancer support group meeting for Breast Cancer patients and their support network on May 25, 2023.

The event was facilitated by life coach, Ms. Shirley Serbony, who helped guide the conversation of over 25 participants, allowing each participant the freedom to express and share their experiences and insights. At the end of the two-hour session, the participants and organizers agreed that the support group will meet monthly and is open to all persons and their support network who have been affected by breast cancer.

The Still Beautiful Foundation, a breast cancer survivor advocacy organization, whose motto is "still beautiful, before, during, and after," has provided one on one support and counseling from its inception to individuals affected by breast cancer. The collaboration with the Positive and Elektralyets Foundations, breast cancer awareness advocates, is intended to bring persons with breast cancer experiences together in a safe space, to share their stories and experiences to help provide emotional support, peer learning, a reduction in isolation and improved quality of life to breast cancer warriors, survivors, and their support network.

Breast Cancer support groups can provide a range of benefits for those who are affected by this disease. Some of the benefits include: 

1. Emotional support: Support groups provide an environment where individuals can share their fears, anxieties, and concerns without fear of judgment or criticism. It helps individuals to cope with their emotions in a supportive and non-threatening setting.

2. Learning from others: Patients can learn from others who have gone through the same experience. It also provides an opportunity to exchange practical advice about coping with symptoms, managing side effects, and navigating the healthcare system.

3. Decrease isolation: Support groups help connect individuals to others who are struggling with similar challenges. It provides an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships and foster a sense of community.

4. Increase caregiver support: Caregivers can also benefit from support groups as they learn how to better take care of their loved ones and cope with the stress of caring for someone with cancer.

5. Improved quality of life: Support groups can help patients cope with the emotional and physical challenges of cancer, leading to an improvement in their quality of life. Overall, breast cancer support groups can provide a sense of comfort, validation, and hope for individuals with breast cancer and their families.

The Foundations invite breast cancer patients, survivors, warriors, and their support network to the next support group meeting scheduled for June 29 at 7 pm. For more information, please call +1-721-588-8020 or email stillbeautiful@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there. Together we are stronger and can better help one another to remember that we are Still beautiful, before, during, and after. Please check out this website at https://positivefoundationsxm.com for a free download of Your Guide to Overcoming the Side Effects of Radiation and Chemotherapy.