What if you have cancer and no family support?
Cancer is not an easy disease to get through alone.
For most people, cancer takes a huge toll on them emotionally & physically.
Not many people can get through it alone and need support.
However, some people have no family members they can rely on, they cannot tell their friends or company, and there are various reasons for each person.
In this issue, there is no one close to us that we can rely on. Nevertheless, we have compiled this list for those who would like someone to sympathize and support them.
Please take a look at it as a reference.
(Of course, it will also be helpful when not only the person himself/herself but also a family member has cancer and wants to talk to someone about it.)
Supportive Communities in Japan
There are various communities in Japan that support cancer patients and their families. Below are some representative communities.
Certified Nonprofit Organization Cancer Support Community
Website: https://csc-japan.org/
This is a support group for cancer patients and their families with chapters throughout Japan.
Activities include support groups, lectures, and information.
Consultation services are available by phone, email, and online chat.
As the world’s largest professional, international non-profit network of cancer patient support organizations, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) aims to create a society where all people affected by cancer can live their lives as they see fit, where our programs are used to help them live their lives, and where they are supported by a community of people. Cancer Support Community (CSC) aims to create a society in which all people affected by cancer can live their lives as they wish.
In addition, CSC advocates for policies at all levels of government to support those whose lives have been disrupted by cancer.
Cancer Support Community is the Japanese chapter of CSC.
(Cited from: Certified Nonprofit Organization Cancer Support Community: https://csc-japan.org/conceptandhistory/)
NPO Cancer Parents
Website: https://cancer-parents.com/top
This is a support group for parents of pediatric cancer patients.
Activities include providing information, social events, and peer support.
They offer consultations by phone, email, and online chat.
Business Activities
■Planning, development, and operation of “Cancer Parents – Let’s connect with cancer patients who have children” (cancer-parents.com)
Dissemination of information on cancer patients in the child-rearing and working generations through the operation of “Cancer Parents
Planning, operation, and cooperation for events, seminars, etc.
Providing various information related to “cancer education,” “cancer and work,” “cancer and life,” etc.
(Adapted from: Cancer Parents, Inc. https://www.cancer-parents.org/)
5years
Website: https://5years.org/main/login/
This is a social networking site where people who have experienced cancer can communicate with each other.
You can exchange information about treatment, daily life, and various other topics.
(Reference: Certified NPO 5years (“certified” non-profit organization 5years): https://5years.org/contents/page/aboutus/)
tomosnote
Website: https://www.tomosnote.com/
This is a social networking site where people who have experienced cancer can communicate with each other and read stories of cancer survivors.
It has a wealth of articles about cancer and is also a good reference.
(Reference: Hatch Healthcare K.K. (in English): https://www.hatch-healthcare.co.jp/#company)
Other
In addition to the above, there are various other support groups and communities for cancer patients throughout Japan.
You may be able to obtain information by consulting your local medical institution or municipal health and welfare center.
You may also want to search the Internet.
Cancer is a disease that places a heavy burden on both the patient and the family.
It is important not to keep it to yourself, but to seek help from those around you, join a community, and face the disease through information gathering and interaction.
