Using Social Media to Navigate a Diagnosis

of Cancer

No ifs, ands or buts about it… cancer sucks! A diagnosis of cancer

is life altering. And for many, it is devastating - emotionally,

physically, financially and socially. Navigating a treatment plan and

finding, much less making sense of, the information & existing

resources that help cancer patients and caregivers is as challenging

and confusing as the disease itself.

So what’s a person to do?

Facebook: The Great

Connector

Facebook is most people’s go-to social media sharing site with over 1.06

billion active monthly users. It’s the social media app that spans the largest

age demographics. As a result, Facebook is probably the easiest way to

connect with a large group of family and friends; to keep them informed of

what's going on; to receive support and encouragement; and to gather

information.

In his article “Using Facebook in the War On Cancer”, Gabe Canales (aka

@GabeCanales), prostate cancer survivor & founder of Blue Cure Foundation,

writes that the instant connections made of Facebook can provide support,

education and hope. He says, "Such instant connections are a way to know

immediately about new treatments and clinical trials and to share experiences

about drugs, doctors, hospitals, treatments and other elements of the cancer

journey.” Knowledge is power... and Facebook makes it easy for knowledge to

be shared.

Blogging Communities:

An Opportunity to Learn from Others

Blogs can be more than just personal diaries. They are websites that provide readers an opportunity to learn, ask questions and make comments regarding the

author’s posts. Blogging communities and social networking sites such as:

Treatment Diaries What Next ColonTown

My BC Team IHadCancer Inspire

also connect those touched by cancer with others facing a similar diagnosis.

Real life experiences, practical tips, lessons learned &

treatment insights are easily shared in these forums. Reading

blogs also offers those who are shy or are embarrassed by their

questions and concerns to learn without having to put their

name or face out there. Blogs are where I find some of the most

in-depth, consistent coverage of what it’s like to live with and

how to survive a diagnosis of cancer.

Twitter: Where Questions Get

Asked & Answered in Minutes

A little tweet goes a long way. Twitter is where questions are asked and answered

quickly in 140 characters or less. In addition to learning about new treatments and

clinical trials, Twitter also enables patients and caregivers to connect with others

outside their immediate circle for support and information. It’s where Stef Woods

(aka @citygirlblogs), breast cancer survivor and advocate extraordinaire, went to

connect with other young adult cancer survivors who understood what she was

going through during her cancer treatments and beyond. The tremendous support

she received from her twitter followers helped her get through each day.

The Bottom Line:

Social media enables people- regardless of who they are, where they live and

whether you knew them previously or not- to connect with one another in

incredible ways. Knowledge and experience get shared; encouragement and

support are offered; questions get answered; strangers become friends;

treatment options and types of assistance are uncovered; hope can be found.

So if you're feeling up to it, check out Twitter or Facebook or someone's blog

and see what new connections you make.

For resources, financial assistance, knowledge and inspiration,

please visit

cancerhawk.com