Poster Presentation Cancer Survivorship 2017

Life after cancer treatment - a peer support group pilot study  (#62)

Eleanor Law 1 , Andreea Ardeleanu 1
  1. ACT Health, Phillip, ACT, Australia

Aims

The Life After Cancer Treatment Group pilot study was a survivorship therapeutic support group targeted at people with cancer at primary diagnosis stage, after completion of treatment. Group numbers were kept under 10 to facilitate participation. The three main aims of this group were:

  1. to provide a safe environment for exploring issues characteristic of the survivorship phase and psychosocial education within an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model,
  2. to provide participants with an opportunity to experience mindfulness practices, in the context of the ACT model, and
  3. to provide an opportunity for peer networking within a shared experience framework.

Method

The group included six meetings, each focussed on a different theme. Ten participants enrolled in the group; two withdrew (N= 8). The group was conducted within an ACT framework, with a focus on demonstrating and practicing mindfulness. Themes covered included stress/anxiety management, living with uncertainty, myths/expectations associated with cancer treatment/recovery/survivorship, body image, and long term self-care moving into the survivorship phase. Pre- and post-program questionnaires were completed with the opportunity to provide qualitative feedback.

Results

Post-program survey data demonstrated that participants experienced positive outcomes from attending the group. In addition, qualitative comments confirmed the psychosocial skills acquired included positive outcomes such as feeling ‘calmer’; ‘more connected’; ‘normal’; ‘more in control’ and ‘looking forward to the future’. Feedback on the peer network component was positive, indicating long-term connections were established.  

Conclusions

The Life After Cancer Treatment Group pilot study assisted participants positively in their cancer survivorship journey. The data and feedback confirmed the importance of peer support as a strategy in the cancer survivorship process. The program will be repeated with greater integration of strategies to expand the collection of data to further elucidate the importance of peer network support within a therapeutic support group format.