Breast Cancer Group

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the various stages of a breast cancer support group, with an eye towards illustrating each phase by briefly discussing the experiences of a family member who entered into such a group. As well, the second part of the paper looks at how church membership or church groups have many of the same features as support groups - and many of the same inter-personal problems. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that a successful group finds a way to incorporate new ideas into an old structure (or will remodel that structure as need be) so that tensions can be eliminated and common goals pursued.

Outline:
Abstract
Paper One
Paper Two
References

From the Paper:

"The "norming" period is the period wherein the initial discomfort in meeting with strangers to discuss such a painful topic begins to give way to one in which people begin to establish relationships and a level of trust. Furthermore, a collective sense of purpose and a sense of what activities will achieve that purpose are finally, conclusively, introduced and become established within the group. During my relative's tenure as a member of a support group, she made an effort to build relationships and she also collaborated with others as the group sought to come up with activities that would foster togetherness while also educating the members on how they could get the most out of life despite their illness. It was certainly not easy building such friendships (many of the members were reserved and scared) but the effort was ultimately worth it."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gleason, David. (n.d.). Keeping a support group going: five things you should remember. Self-Help Network. Retrieved February 12, 2006 from <http://www.selfhelpnetwork.wichita.edu/images/pdf/KeepingaSupportGroupGoing.pdf>
• Iowa National Guard. (1998). Family support group: advanced training. Operation R.E.A.D.Y. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from <http://www.iowanationalguard.com/family/Documents/FamilyAdvTraining.pdf>
• Post-Polio Health International. (2004). Support groups: Is our group normal? International Ventilators Users-Network. Retrieved February 12, 2007 from <http://www.post-polio.org/ipn/sgruth.html>

More papers on Breast Cancer Group:

• Research Paper # 95130 : "Breast Cancer and African-American Women"
• Research Paper # 129482 : "Benefits of Nursing Breast Cancer Knowledge"
• Term Paper # 136992 : "Breast Cancer Support Group"

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