Innovative Breast Cancer Research Funded By State Taxpayers
Oakland, CA—August 1, 2002—A groundbreaking collaborative effort funded by the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) shows the overwhelming value of online support groups for breast cancer patients. For the past 20 years, the only support groups available were those conducted in person.
Research on the viability of virtual support groups began with a series of grants from the CBCRP, the largest state-funded program of its kind in the nation. The grants enabled The Wellness Community (TWC), a national non-profit cancer support and education organization, to launch a joint scientific effort with Stanford University and the University of California at San Francisco. The team researched the benefits of breast cancer support groups online, compared to traditional in-person support groups.
The results from this pilot study showed that breast cancer patients will join and participate in these TWC online groups, that they show significant pre-post changes, and that their satisfaction with the experience is very high. The findings also indicated that online support provided important accessibility to people who were too ill to travel or lived in remote areas.
“By providing funding for organizations like TWC we are pioneering new directions in breast cancer research and support,” said Dr. Marion Kavanaugh-Lynch, director of the CBCRP.
The project went from research to action earlier this year with the launch of The Virtual Wellness Community at www.thewellnesscommunity.com. The interactive Website provides free professionally-moderated support groups for people with many types of cancer.
“Our research indicated that women with breast cancer who participated in on-line support groups experienced a significant decrease in depression and their reactions to pain,” said Mitch Golant, Ph.D., vice president of research and development at TWC. “We also saw dramatic increases in their well-being. They showed a renewed zest for life, expressed greater spiritual beliefs, and saw new possibilities ahead.”
The design of The Virtual Wellness Community site resembles an inviting house with various rooms: library, mind-body room, kitchen with nutritional information, and garden. The support groups are specific to the type of cancer—breast, prostate, lung, ovarian, pancreatic/colorectal, and lymphoma. All discussions are confidential and are moderated by a trained medical professional.
The CBCRP
Funded since 1994 through the tobacco tax, voluntary tax check-off on personal income tax forms, and individual contributions, the CBCRP has generated more than $115 million for 452 grants at 62 institutions throughout the state. Grants are awarded by the CBCRP to California scientists and community researchers to find better ways to prevent, treat and cure breast cancer. The California program is the largest state-funded breast cancer research effort in the nation and is administered by the University of California, Office of the President. For more information call 1.888.313.BCRP, or visit www.cbcrp.org.
The Wellness Community
TWC is the largest community-based psychosocial support program in the United
States for people with cancer and their loved ones. TWC provides services
to more than 25,000 people with cancer nationwide each year. Cancer patients
make over 150,000 visits to our facilities annually, attending educational
and wellness programs including physician lectures, meditation, exercise
and nutrition workshops. Over the past 12 months, TWC has conducted more
than 11,000 support groups in our 23 facilities worldwide. All programs
and services are free and licensed psychotherapists specially trained in
TWC’s unique program methodology facilitate support groups. TWC’s
program focuses on an empowerment model: all patients are supported in making
active choices in their recovery, reducing the three most significant psychosocial
stressors people with cancer face—unwanted aloneness, loss of control,
and loss of hope.
