Cancer support groups: meeting the needs of African Americans with cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe culturally appropriate ways that cancer support groups can meet the needs of African Americans with cancer.


METHODS
Research articles and clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Support groups are an important vehicle through which people cope with the emotional and physical impact of their cancer. Most support group participants are middle-class, white women. Faith-based cancer support groups can address the needs of many African Americans with cancer by offering support and education within the context of a spiritually based life-style.


CONCLUSIONS
Coping strategies may vary among cultural groups. In order to be supportive, cancer support groups must be congruent with the values and beliefs of the group's members.
Barg
F K
FK
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 420 Guardian Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Gullatte
M M
MM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001741:Black or African American; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D014481:United States