Online Cancer Support Communities

For links to specific support groups, click on a topic from the list below.

Cancer Support Group Directories

CancerCare - Founded in 1944, CancerCare® is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Online support groups take place using a password-protected message board format (not live chat) and are led by professional oncology social workers who offer support and guidance.

Cancer Experience Registry - A program of The Cancer Support Community®, a nonprofit organization that provides personalized and essential services to those living with cancer and their caregivers including support groups, educational workshops, exercise, art and nutrition classes and social activities. The Cancer Experience Registry is a place where the individual and collective voices of people impacted by cancer can be heard and measured.

Cancer Hope Network - Provides free and confidential peer support for cancer patients and the people who love.

Cancer Support Community - As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. Connect with other by participating in the Living Room discussion boards. These boards are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and cover a variety of topics. Receive advice, support and offer tips to other people going through similar cancer experiences.

Inspire - Inspire was created because we all need a safe place to discuss health, we can help each other, and together, we are better. Browse their extensive list of online communities for a safe place for patients and caregivers to support and connect with one another.

Know Cancer - Know Cancer is dedicated to connecting, educating and empowering all people affected by the many forms of cancer. Join their cancer community, a feature rich social network with a personal journal and media gallery, the Know Cancer blog, and an “Ask the Expert” section.

 

Bile Duct Cancer

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation: Virtual Support Groups - This organization's mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by cholangiocarcinoma. 

 

Bladder Cancer

American Bladder Cancer Society - The American Bladder Cancer Society was born from the hope of survivors of this often overlooked and underserved disease that the future could be made easier for those that came after them. They offer a forum with community support and the opportunity to exchange information and ideas.

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network - BCAN provides education and support programs for those living with bladder cancer, as well as funds innovative research. Join their community on Inspire for online support.
 

Brain Tumors

American Brain Tumor Association - The American Brain Tumor Association was the first and is the only national organization committed to funding brain tumor research and providing support and education programs for all tumor types and all age groups. Join their community on Inspire for online support.

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation - Children's Brain Tumor Foundation believes in the connections and support which can only be provided by people who have shared similar journeys. A number of online support options will be found here.

Meningioma Mommas - This organization aims to provide support and valuable resources to all those affected by meningioma brain tumors. Get in touch with others in the community by joining their online forum.

 

Breast Cancer

Advanced Breast Cancer Community - Join the Inspire support group for the Advanced Breast Cancer Community, whose focus is on women living with advanced breast cancer facing different experiences and unique needs than those living with earlier stages of the disease.

Breastcancer.org - Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Share stories and information with others on their discussion boards.

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) - FORCE's mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers. Visit their message boards to meet and discuss your situation with other people who have faced similar hereditary cancer concerns.

HER2 Support - This is a support group for patients, caregivers, mothers, daughters, sons and husbands of breast cancer survivors who are HER2 positive. Join their online community by participating in their online forum.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer - This organization aims to provide information, community and support that you can trust, is easy for you to access and respectful of you and your situation. Find the right kind of online support for your needs, from online chats to social media to webinars and more.

MyBCTeam - MyBCTeam is a social network and online support group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sister2Sister - This organization is located in Somerset, New Jersey.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation - The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® is dedicated to supporting TNBC-specific research and to providing meaningful programs and services to the TNBC community. Get connected in their online forum.

Young Survival Coalition - Specifically for young women with breast cancer, this group offers resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful. Communicate with others in their online forums, video support group, or private Facebook group.

 

Cervical Cancer

Daily Strength Cervical Cancer Support Group - This is a place to talk about your experience with cervial cancer.

National Cervical Cancer Coalition: Cervical cancer and HPV support group and discussion community -  This organization's mission is to help women, family members and caregivers battle the personal issues related to cervical cancer and HPV and to advocate for cervical health in all women by promoting prevention through education about early vaccination, Pap testing and HPV testing when recommended.

 

Colon Cancer

Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Online Communities - The Colon Cancer Alliance is focused on prevention, funding cutting-edge research and providing the highest quality patient support services. You will find a number of online communities at this site.

Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Colorectal Cancer Chat Room - Five chats moderated by Colorectal Cancer Alliance's certified patient and family support navigator.

United Ostomy Associations of America - This nonprofit organization supports, empowers, and advocates for people who have had or who will have ostomy or continent diversion surgery. They have several online support groups.
 

Eye Cancer

The Eye Cancer Foundation - This organization is an educational and supportive resource for eye cancer patients, their families, and physicians. Join the Eye Cancer Network on Facebook or search their message board archives.

Ocular Melanoma Foundation - OMF’s mission is to accelerate and enhance scientific research, advocacy, and awareness of ocular melanoma and to provide education and support to patients, their families, and healthcare professionals. Communicate with others in the community on their patient forum or Facebook.
 

Head and Neck Cancer

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International - This nonprofit ACC patient support organization aims to create a worldwide community of ACC patients and supporters who share information, support, and hope while working together to develop a cure for ACC. They offer an online support group.

Head and Neck Cancer Alliance - With a mission to advance prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation of oral, head and neck cancer through public awareness, research, advocacy and survivorship, HNCA has a large community on Inspire.

The Oral Cancer Foundation - This organization's focus is on contributing to the reduction of suffering, permanent physical damage and disfigurement, and death caused by this disease. Chat with others in the community in their support forum.

WebWhispers - A support group for both laryngectomees and cancer patients who have lost their voice or become a neck breather, WebWhispers offers an e-mail list and a forum for members to communicate.
 

Leukemia

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hogdkin's disease and myeloma, as well as supporting all those affected. Join the conversation on one of their discussion boards or online chats.


Lung Cancer

American Lung Association - Through research, education and advocacy, the American Lung Association seeks to improve lives and prevent disease. Join their Inspire online support group to share with others in the fight against lung cancer.

GO2 for Lung Cancer - Provides one-on-one assistance, supportive connections, treatment information, and assists with finding the best care close to home.

Lung Cancer Research Foundation - Participate in live webinars or on their Facebook page.

LUNGevity - This foundation funds scientific research and seeks to empower lung cancer patients in their treatment process. Meet many others in one of their discussion forums.
 

Lymphoma

International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF) - This patient-founded and patient-led nonprofit organization's goal is to support those diagnosed with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and help find a cure. Chat with others in their IWMF-Talk online discussion forums.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hogdkin's disease and myeloma, as well as supporting all those affected. Join the conversation on one of their discussion boards or online chats.

Lymphoma.com - Browse basic educational information here, but more importantly, connect with others in the support and help forums.
 

Melanoma

AIM at Melanoma - This is the largest international melanoma foundation globally engaged and locally invested in advancing the battle against melanoma through research, legislative reform, education, and patient and caregiver support. Join their Facebook community or request a mentor for support.

Melanoma Research Foundation - The MRF is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting medical research and providing information to patients about melanoma. Register on their Melanoma Patients Information Page to join the oldest online melanoma community.
 

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Guide - This resource was created to guide mesothelioma patients and their loved ones toward answers, information, and healthcare solutions. Join others on one of their recommended online support groups.
 

Myeloma

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - The Leukemia & Lymphoma society is seeking a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hogdkin's disease and myeloma, as well as supporting all those affected. Join the conversation on one of their discussion boards or online chats.


Ovarian Cancer

CancerCare Support Groups - Connect with others in support groups for cancer patients, loved ones and people who have lost a loved one, led by oncology social workers. Check back often to see when online groups are forming.

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) - FORCE's mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers. Visit their message boards to meet and discuss your situation with other people who have faced similar hereditary cancer concerns.

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance - Soon to join with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to become the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, this organization aims to connect survivors, women at risk, caregivers and health providers with the information and resources they need. Join their support group on Inspire to reach others in the same fight.
 

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - This group's main goal is to double the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020 through funding research, advocacy efforts, patient education and a personalized medicine service. Choose from one of their recommended online support groups.
 

Prostate Cancer

Malecare - Malecare is America’s leading men’s cancer survivor support and advocacy national nonprofit organization. Meet other men facing cancer in their online support group for advanced prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Foundation - PCF is dedicated to accelerating research for better treatment and a cure for prostate cancer. Find a few online support groups from this site.

Zero - Communicate with others on their Inspire discussion boards.
 

Sarcoma

GIST Support International - GSI is an all-volunteer group of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST cancer), family members, friends, and interested professionals. Sign up for one of their e-mail-based communication channels.

Sarcoma Alliance Facebook Support Community - The Sarcoma Alliance strives to improve the lives of people affected by sarcoma through accurate diagnosis, improved access to care, guidance, education and support.

 

Stomach Cancer

Debbie's Dream Foundation - This organization is dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. Join others on their Inspire discussion boards.

 

Thyroid Cancer

Light of Life Foundation - Their mission is to improve the quality of life of thyroid cancer patients through continual education of the lay public and the medical community, and by promoting research and development to improve thyroid cancer care. Join other survivors on their Facebook group.

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association - This organization seeks to educate, communicate and support research about thyroid cancer. Subscribe to one of their e-mail support groups or communicate with others on Inspire.
 

Children with Cancer

American Childhood Cancer Organization - ACCO is one of the nation’s largest grassroots organizations at the forefront of the crucial battle against childhood cancer. Join their online community on Inspire.

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation - Children's Brain Tumor Foundation believes in the connections and support which can only be provided by people who have shared similar journeys. Offers monthly online chats for caregivers, brain tumor survivors, and for bereaved caregivers.

 

Teenagers with Cancer

Young Survival Coalition - Specifically for young women with breast cancer, this group offers resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful. Communicate with others in their online forums, video support group, or private Facebook group.

 

Special Topics

Caregiver Action Network - The Caregiver Action Network is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. They offer multiple discussion forums.

Hope for Two... The Pregnant with Cancer Network - Get connected with another woman who has gone through a similar experience.

Man Up to Cancer - Man Up to Cancer inspires men to connect and avoid isolation during their cancer journeys. They offer peer-to-peer support, an annual retreat, chemo backpack program, learning opportunities, and more than 30 local chapters.

MDS Foundation - Founded by physicians and researchers sharing information about MDS, this group connects patients with treatment and hospital referrals. They have an active patient message board.

National LGBT Cancer Network - This group seeks to improve the lives of LGBT cancer patients and survivors through community education, healthcare provider training, and advocacy. Join the community in their online forums.

The Oley Foundation - This group supports patients dependent on home intravenous nutrition (parenteral) and tube feeding (enteral) through education, advocacy, and networking. Chat with others in their Inspire community.

Rare Cancer Alliance - RCA's primary purpose is to disseminate information and provide support to all pediatric (childhood) and adult rare cancer patients. Choose from any one of their forums for different cancer diagnoses.
 

November 2024