Receiving a cancer diagnosis as well as living through and beyond treatment is often a very stressful experience. The Cancer Institute offers a number of support groups on site and in collaboration with other organizations and community partners. Support groups help many people cope with the emotional aspects of cancer by providing a place to safely share their feelings, connect and learn from others facing a similar situation, and discuss the challenges of the cancer journey. Some support groups also provide an opportunity for education provided by healthcare professionals on topics such as the management of side effects, ways to cope, lifestyle modification, or other related topics. Below is a list of current active support groups we offer in the Cancer Institute with further explanation on each group below the list.
- Gynecologic Cancer Support Group
- Women of Wisdom
- Prostate Cancer Support Group
- Healthy Horizons
- CARE
Gynecologic Cancer Support Group
The Belles Gyn Support Group is an open format group that meets monthly, and provides women with an opportunity to share experiences, to learn from one another and to raise awareness though education about gynecologic cancers. The focus is empowerment, stress management, and developing healthy and effective ways to cope with cancer related issues. The group is offered free of charge to any woman diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, regardless of where she is receiving or received care. For more information please call 865-305-5622.
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
Do you have a family history of cancer? Are you considering genetic testing, waiting for results, or have you already tested positive for a genetic mutation? You are not alone. Network with others who understand what you are going through. This quarterly group meeting is a great opportunity to ask questions of others in a similar situation or just listen to the conversation in a supportive environment. Feel free to invite a friend or family member.
This a multi-organizational event, which is hosted quarterly by different genetic counselors in partnership with the Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee. Call (865) 546-4661 to find out when the next meeting is.
About FORCE:
FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) is the only organization empowering those facing hereditary breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, colorectal and endometrial cancers that are caused by an inherited mutation in a BRCA, ATM, PALB2, CHEK2, PTEN or other gene, as well as those associated with Lynch syndrome.
Multiple Myeloma Support Group
The Knoxville chapter of the Multiple Myeloma Support Group is a volunteer led support group for myeloma patients, care partners, family and friends. Join the group to meet and interact with others to learn the latest advances in the treatment and management of myeloma. The group will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit: https://www.myeloma.org/knoxville .
Women of Wisdom
A network of African American breast cancer survivors:
- Spreading the word of survival
- Comforting and encouraging other survivors, especially the newly diagnosed
- Giving back to the community by participating in breast health education and breast health awareness
For more information, call 865-305-9162.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute’s Prostate Cancer Support Group, meets the first Thursday of every month. This informative meeting allows men who are facing or have faced prostate cancer to find support, encouragement and information on how to deal with daily life.For more information, contact Teri Freeman, LCSW at 865-305-6154.
Healthy Horizons
A six week program designed for cancer patients who have completed treatment within the last two years.Each weekly session is taught by professionals and includes:
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Managing side effects of treatment
- Returning to “normal”
- Internet research
- Meditation/relaxation
For more information please contact Teri Freeman, LCSW at 865-305-6154.
CARE
Calming Anxiety with Resources and Encouragement (CARE) is a group of breast cancer survivors, exists solely to provide confidential listening and support to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. This group of specially trained survivors do not provide medical advice or options, however are prepared to direct women to resources that can further assist them. For more information about CARE, please call 865-305-6921 or toll-free at 866-337-8824, ext. 6921
Local Resources
National Resources
- Coping With Cancer
- Cancer Care Support Groups
- Livestrong Fertility Program
- FORCE
- Pancreatic Cancer Network
Links to Internet resources outside of the Cancer Institute website are provided solely for the convenience of persons visiting the Cancer Institute website. Provision of such hyperlinks is not an endorsement of these sites.
