What is Social Support?
Social support
Social support is the emotional support, practical help, advice and other benefits you get from interactions with people in your life, including:
- Family members
- Friends
- Spiritual advisors
- Co-workers and supervisors
- Health care providers
- Other cancer survivors
Social support can take many forms. It may be as informal as a sympathetic ear of a close friend, or as formal as a support group or seeing a therapist. This support helps you feel loved, cared for and understood.
Social support can also be practical help. Family and friends may give you rides to and from treatments or help with cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping and child care. Your boss may help you find ways to balance your job and treatment schedule.
Learn more about social support in the drawers below.
Susan G. Komen® Patient Care Center |
Do you need help? We’re here for you. The Komen Patient Care Center is your trusted, go-to source for timely, accurate breast health and breast cancer information, services and resources. Our navigators offer free, personalized support to patients, caregivers and family members, including education, emotional support, financial assistance, help accessing care and more. Get connected to a Komen navigator by contacting the Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or email helpline@komen.org to get started. All calls are answered Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Se habla español. |
Social support for family and loved ones
As with any major illness, breast cancer can have effects beyond the person who is diagnosed.
Spouses and partners, family members and other loved ones may feel many of the same emotions as the person diagnosed: shock, sadness, fear, anger and denial.
Family and friends can be strong sources of support throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery. At the same time, loved ones (especially spouses, partners and children) may also need social support.
Susan G. Komen® Support Resources |
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Updated 12/28/23
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet