Cancer Lung Cancer Support & Coping How to Find Lung Cancer Support Online Connect with others for emotional support, education, and community By Lindsay Curtis Updated on March 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Fact checked by Angela Underwood Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Online Support Groups Forums Benefits Other Ways to Get Support Frequently Asked Questions Living with lung cancer can be incredibly difficult to cope with. Online lung cancer support groups can provide a much-needed community as you navigate your lung cancer journey. This article will cover the types of support options available to you, the benefits of support groups, and how to find the right group for you. FatCamera / Getty Images Online Lung Cancer Support Groups If you have a lung cancer diagnosis and are looking for support, you are not alone. Someone in the United States is diagnosed with lung cancer every 2.5 minutes. Online groups can provide support, advice, and community with others who are going through similar experiences. Lung Cancer Patient Support Group From CancerCare CancerCare offers a free, 15-week online support group for individuals diagnosed with lung cancer and currently receiving treatment. This password-protected group takes place on a message board (forum) and is facilitated by an oncology social worker. You can share your personal experiences, get helpful coping tips and advice on cancer-related resources. Lung Cancer Research Foundation: #TogetherSeparately The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) hosts regular #TogetherSeparately live streams for people living with lung cancer. Topics covered include new diagnoses, navigating insurance, and the latest research findings. You can also join LCRF’s lung cancer community group on Facebook for daily conversation and community. Lung Cancer Survivors From the American Lung Association This free online lung cancer community is hosted by the American Lung Association on Inspire.com. It is a place for individuals living with lung diseases to connect with peers and discuss how the disease affects their lives. Mentorship Opportunities Lung cancer survivors can serve as mentors for those who are newly diagnosed or going through treatments. As a mentor, you can offer empathy, support and understanding to a cancer fighter or caregiver. Ask your healthcare team about local mentorship options, or join a program like American Cancer Society’s Mentor Angels program. Lung Cancer Forums A lung cancer forum is an online discussion board where people can share their experiences through posted messages. These spaces offer a place to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss lung cancer-related topics with others affected by the disease Lungevity Lung Cancer Support Community Lungevity’s lung cancer support community is a large, popular online lung cancer support network for people living with lung cancer and caregivers. There are subforms for specific cancer types and different aspects of life with lung cancer. This forum also includes information about the latest cancer research developments, notices of events, and advocacy opportunities. LungCancer.net Forums Online discussion forums hosted by LungCancer.net are for people living with lung cancer. These forums allow discussion on a wide variety of topics, from nutrition to insurance questions and mental health concerns. Members can search by categories to find posts related to topics of interest (e.g., treatments). Smart Patients Lung Cancer Community Smart Patients is an online community for patients and families. The lung cancer discussion forum is an online support group for patients and loved ones. Members share advice and discuss symptoms, treatments, and the emotional and financial aspects of life with lung cancer. The Benefits of a Community Online lung cancer support groups and communities provide several benefits to members, including: Emotional support: Members have a safe space to openly discuss their experiences, feelings, and challenges during their cancer journey. Education: Many groups are moderated or led by licensed oncology social workers who provide education and guidance on many lung cancer topics. Convenience: You can connect to your group wherever you have Internet access, whether that’s on your mobile phone from the hospital or your laptop at home. Accessibility: Those who are in poor health, live in a remote area, have mobility issues or social anxiety can easily access these groups. Flexibility: Access the group and its resources on your own time and schedule. Privacy: Online support groups provide anonymity and privacy for those who feel uncertain about sharing their challenges in person. Low cost: Most online lung cancer support groups are free to join and participate in. Additionally, online groups can offer a better quality of life, according to participants of a study who reported a reduction in depression, stress, and cancer-related trauma. Other Ways to Get Support If online groups aren't of interest, there are other ways to get support: Counseling: Psychotherapists and oncology social workers provide mental health support to help you cope with your diagnosis and cancer journey. Family and friends: Talking to a trusted friend, family member, or spiritual adviser may provide emotional and physical support. Call a cancer helpline: Many organizations have cancer helplines you can call or email to speak with an oncology health professional, counselor, or volunteer to get assistance or advice on cancer-related topics. In-person support groups: Many communities have in-person support groups for people living with lung cancer. These are often held at local hospitals, cancer centers, and community facilities. Summary If you are living with lung cancer and want to meet others who share similar experiences, online lung cancer support groups are an excellent way to help you make these connections. These groups offer a way to provide and receive support, seek advice, and share your concerns and worries with others. Studies show that online cancer support groups offer convenience, accessibility, support, education, and privacy that improve members’ quality of life and emotional well-being. A Word From Verywell Living with lung cancer can be an overwhelming, emotional experience. Joining an online cancer support group is a great way to make connections with others who have similar experiences. Even if you have support from family and friends, you may feel lonely as you navigate your cancer journey. Support groups can help you feel less alone, and research shows that joining a support group can improve your quality of life. Frequently Asked Questions How can I find support while dealing with lung cancer? Online support communities people living with lung cancer together from all over the world to provide support, advice, and understanding. Some areas offer in-person lung cancer support groups, as well. Ask your cancer care team for local resources and recommendations. How can I support someone who is dealing with lung cancer? Here are some tips to support someone with lung cancer: Listen: Let them process their emotions and experiences with you. Offer to help: Whether it’s providing meals, childcare, or doing their laundry, sometimes the little things are the biggest help. Treat them the same: Don’t change the way you treat your loved one after their diagnosis.Talk about things other than cancer: People with lung cancer need a break from cancer-related topics. Laugh together: Share funny memories or watch a comedic TV show or movie together for some shared laughs. Show up: Calling, texting, and taking time for visits let them know they can count on you. Learn More: Supporting a Loved One With Cancer What organizations support people with lung cancer? The National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, CancerCare, and the American Institute for Cancer Research are among the hundreds of organizations that provide support for people with lung cancer. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Lung Association. State of lung cancer key findings. Gupta T, Schapira L. Online communities as sources of peer support for people living with cancer: a commentary. J Oncol Pract. 2018;JOP1800261. doi:10.1200/JOP.18.00261 Frick J, Schindel D, Gebert P, Grittner U, Schenk L. Improving quality of life in cancer patients through higher participation and health literacy: study protocol for evaluating the oncological social care project (OSCAR). BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19(1):754. doi:10.1186/s12913-019-4585-0 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit