Sources of support during and after breast cancer

Family were often a great source of support during and after illness, and several women noted how certain family members or relatives had encouraged them. One young single mother, whose family lived overseas, described how her daughter became her main source of support. Other women discussed the support they had received from siblings, adult children and grandchildren.

Explains how her daughter supported her through her illness.

A few women described how their illness had brought them closer as a family or improved relationships between different members. One woman explained how family rallied around and helped find information about breast cancer. Some women also discussed the emotional and practical support they had received from partners.

Explains that her family were a great source of support and how she became closer to her father.

Describes how her family supported her and helped her to seek out more information about breast cancer.

Some women said that friends had helped and encouraged them throughout their illness. A few women mentioned that, although some friends found their diagnosis difficult to cope with, others became closer and more understanding. Neighbours were also an important source of support for some, and several women recalled how neighbours had given practical help with shopping and cooking.

Describes becoming closer to one of her friends, who supported her throughout her illness.

Ingrid had a lot of support from someone she paid to help with household chores when she was having chemotherapy. She was like a friend and helped with cooking, washing and cleaning.

A religious faith or belief in God was invaluable to some women, who described how their faith helped them cope with their illness and the comfort it provided them.

Explains how her faith in God helped her through her illness.

Explains how her faith as a Catholic helped her cope with breast cancer.

Many women discussed the information and support given by breast care nurses, and some had contacted them for advice and reassurance after treatment. Other women praised the professional counselling they’d received to help them discuss and understand their feelings.

Describes the support and encouragement she received from her Health Centre nurse.

Other women with breast cancer were also often an important source of advice, information and emotional support. Some women discussed the sense of fellowship or bond they felt with other cancer patients, emanating from their shared experience.

Describes her sense of sistership with other breast cancer patients.

Some women discussed feeling unsupported after completing treatment, and a few stressed the importance of discussing concerns and anxieties with others who had been through a similar experience. Support groups sometimes met this need, and one woman explained how joining a support group helped her to cope better both with her illness and her life generally (see 'Support groups').

Explains how joining a support group helped her to cope better with her illness and improved her life generally.

Sources of support for men with breast cancer


Last reviewed June 2010.
Last updated June 2010.