Writing your Way Through Cancer Part V: Connecting with Others

FORCE (Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered).

FORCE is for people who have the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene.   Folks in this situation need information about both cancer prevention and treatment.  An IBC friend of mine also has the BRCA gene.  Last year she attended the FORCE conference and raved about the support she received from the organization.  Their website offers multiple outlets for writing including message boards, a chat room, and groups on Facebook and MySpace.  They also have a page of stories from members.

The bcmets mailing list.  This is another site started by Pete and Menya, in this case for people whose breast cancer has metastasized. The bcmets mailing list works through your email.  People write the list with questions and comments and respond through email.  Pete tells me there are currently about 1,000 mailing list members with about 250 who write regularly.  

Advanced Breast Cancer Support Community.  

This social networking site is run by a group called Inspire.  According to the website, “Inspire was created in 2005 by a group of friends. We were each dealing with important medical issues in our families, and we found that while the Internet was a useful source for authoritative medical information, it was not a safe, welcoming place for us to find support.  We created Inspire to change all that. We envisioned a place where we as patients, caregivers, family and friends could support one another, and where we could do so in a safe, secure, privacy-protected environment.”



Other groups?  If you know about another niche group that has been helpful for you, let us know about it. 

Writing about your cancer can be an empowering experience.  Spelling and grammar don't matter.  Your story does.  Write a question.  Write about your side effects.  Write about your hopes and fears.  Write to your friends and family.  Reach out to strangers who share your experience with cancer.  Words matter.  Share yours.