Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Support groups play critical role in cancer journey

Donna Dobbs admits she wasn’t quite ready to share her story.

The Longview resident, 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2024, underwent surgery and completed her radiation treatments five months later.

Several months later, at her checkup at the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Breast Center, she saw a sign that piqued her interest: the “Pink Ribbon Journey” breast cancer support group.

“I saw the board that promoted the support group and took a picture of it, but I was just never ready to attend,” she said. “I was finally in a position to go, and I just decided one day that I am going to go, and it has been a wonderful experience.”

Dobbs’ story is a powerful reminder of the critical and often overlooked role that support groups play in the breast cancer journey. While medical treatment addresses the body, support groups help patients and survivors manage the emotional, mental and social toll of cancer.

“I had my struggles, and it was very much impacting my mental health,” Dobbs said. “There are women who have gone through way worse than I have and meeting these very strong women has been very inspiring.”

Support groups can help reduce feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety, according to the American Cancer Society. Research has shown that peer-led support groups improve emotional well-being and help participants cope better with fear of recurrence, body image issues and life after treatment.

“We started the support group to provide a place for women to know they are not alone in this journey,” said Glenda Edwards, breast cancer patient navigator at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd. “Some have a supportive family, but they are not sure how to support or answer questions like someone with shared experiences.”

The “Pink Ribbon Journey” support group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Breast Center at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd.

Each meeting features a guest speaker that provides information and insight into the breast cancer journey.

Donna Dobbs has attended the last six meetings and says it’s become one of the most important parts of her recovery.

“Meeting the other ladies and hearing their stories has helped so much,” she said. “It has helped me realize that we are all in this together and that we can help each other.”

The next scheduled meeting for the “Pink Ribbon Journey” is on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. inside the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Breast Center at 705 E. Marshall Ave., STE 1003.