The Internet has changed the way we, as a society, interact with each other. It should not be surprising that support groups have spread in the World Wide Web as well. Once upon a time, a support group of patients consisted mainly of family and close friends, and perhaps the clergy of the patient. In close-knit communities, this network could extend to a few members of the community as well. Over the past three decades, understanding that patients can not always get the emotional support they need from family and friends, more formal groups local support emerged. With the now ubiquitous nature of the Internet, these local support groups have gone virtual, virtual and this evolution has included mesothelioma support groups.
Mesothelioma, caused solely by a history of exposure to asbestos fibers, affecting about 3,000 new people each year. The rare nature of the disease means patients often had mesothelioma opportunity to join more general support groups cancer. Although it allowed them to have open discussions and sharing the challenges they face other cancer patients, they are often not able to connect with people passing through the same experience that they were. Now, thanks to the Internet, patients can find mesothelioma support groups for them.
Today, a variety of mesothelioma newsgroups can be found online, both moderate and unmoderated. The Awareness Organization to asbestos diseases, in collaboration with community well-being, has set up a support group online virtual, led by trained professionals, the first online group led by professionals for patients and families and caregivers. Other groups, like the Association of Cancer Research Online and PatientsLikeMe, also help set up online mesothelioma support groups, giving mesothelioma patients a new way to connect with others who are going through similar challenges and can relate to them so that others can 't. With these virtual support groups, each mesothelioma patient can get the support, love, information and support they need, wherever they are.
