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Support for Lung Cancer Patients
The Thoracic Oncology Program Lung Cancer Support Group at Yale meets every other Monday at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Some members have been attending the support group regularly for years, and others come as often as they can. Some come with family and caregivers, others alone. Some are actively receiving treatments, while others have finished treatment. Despite these differences, they all share a common diagnosis of lung cancer, and each have a story to share.
Linda David, RN, and Irene Scanlon, LCSW from the Yale Cancer Center Thoracic Oncology Program, lead the group each week. Irene serves as the social worker for the group and helps facilitate the discussions. Linda is a nurse coordinator and is able to answer any medical questions that may come up. They both feel that this combination works well in making the support group a success.
The support group helps people living with lung cancer learn coping mechanisms and allows them to talk openly about their experience. They discuss the psychosocial issues that come up and how they are affected by them. Although each diagnosis is different, everyone brings something to the group.
“Patients with advanced lung cancer learn how to manage living with lung cancer. They lean on each other for support because they are dealing with a lot of the same issues. People who have finished treatment still attend the support group because they know what it’s like going through the process and want to be there to help someone else,” said Irene Scanlon. On average the group consists of about 10-15 people. Irene and Linda explained that while support groups may not be for everyone, for those who do attend, it can be therapeutic in many ways.
“I was wary of attending a support group at first, but I can’t tell you how much the Yale lung cancer group has helped me,” said Mary June Bayuk, a stage IV lung cancer survivor and attendee of the support group. “I slowly began to feel comfortable talking with other survivors and their caregivers. It is sometimes easier to speak with them about issues that can be difficult to bring up with my family. It has continually helped me to live with this disease.”
Education is also a key component. Patients are able to ask questions and they hold education sessions where speakers come in, such as a nutritionist to talk about healthy eating habits, or a physician to discuss new treatment options. Patients are made aware of the support groups existence when they receive their diagnosis; that way they know this is one of the resources available for support when and if they need it.
“This is a safe environment for patients and they feel comfortable talking about issues they may not outside of the group. Sometimes family members or caregivers realize something about a patients experience they may not have otherwise, and that’s an amazing thing to see come out of this,” said Linda David. Irene explained that one of the issues unique to lung cancer patients is the stigma that lung cancer can have. But she said it is important to realize that there are non-smokers that get lung cancer, and there are also smokers that do not get lung cancer.
Over the years the group has had to deal with the passing of some of its members. Linda commented that even though they are gone, they are still able to contribute to the group in some way by opening up a difficult topic for discussion. “Death is not an easy topic to breach during a support group, but somehow they have found a way to deal with it together,” said Linda.
“It is wonderful to watch the strength that these patients have and how they are able to support each other. They encourage each other to go back to work, school, or resume hobbies. They help each other get back to their life before cancer. Oftentimes treatment can take over your life and you lose track of those interests.”
Irene has seen the group dynamic evolve into something she never thought possible. When one member is having a difficult time, others step up and seem to know just what to say. “It’s amazing to see the spirit of these individuals and they are incredible people. Their support helps us do our work as well and we get a lot out of it.”
For anyone who may be thinking about attending the support group, Irene and Linda suggest coming for a meeting to get a feel for the group and see if it’s something that can benefit them. There is no commitment required to join or pressure to share, only the need for encouragement, support, or information.
To register for the group, or to learn more, please call Irene Scanlon or Linda David. Irene can be reached at (203) 688-3218 or via email at irene.scanlon@ynhh.org. Linda can be reached at (203) 688-2849 or via email at linda.david@ynhh.org