A breast cancer support group: activities and value to mastectomy patients.

This study surveys the reasons women attend a breast cancer support group as well as the perceived benefits of attending one. The hope of receiving and giving emotional support and of obtaining increased information were the largest single factors in attendance. Our results indicate that these hopes are realized. Patients should be offered the opportunity to attend support groups, as they provide added and needed assistance, especially in the areas of new information on cancer and coping with its psychosocial sequelae.