Support groups, like many in-person gatherings, took to the internet to meet in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Many of them, including groups for breast cancer patients and survivors, are still meeting virtually due to the virus, as immunocompromised patients are at higher risk than most for contracting a serious case of COVID.
But Jacqui Hops, a licensed social worker at the Mayo Clinic, said that even meeting virtually has a positive impact on the women she works with. Hops currently runs two different groups: one for the newly diagnosed just beginning their cancer journey and one for survivors.
“Especially for that first group in that first year there, I’m there to facilitate their mutual support, supporting one another, getting that sense of universality that they’re not alone,” she said. And that’s kind of your classic support group, where we share, we support one another, encourage one another. And then the other group I have is for anybody who has gotten their breast cancer treatment here at Mayo and we have speakers in that group. And it’s all about how to live your best life as a survivor of cancer.”
