The Bendigo Cancer Support Group offers peer support to those affected by cancer and a chance to share experiences.

It is open to patients, carers, family and friends and meets the third Tuesday of every month at The Bendigo Club from 1pm-3.30pm.

The group is facilitated by its members and Bendigo Health radiotherapy welfare worker Rochelle Paten, and has a membership of about 80 people.

About 20 of these attend the monthly meeting on a regular basis.

Ms Paten said the support group was aimed at creating an environment where people can open up and talk about their experiences.

“Not just as a patient, but also as a carer or someone who knows someone who has got cancer,” she said.

“Cancer has no boundaries, it affects people right across our community – all segments of the community.

“Most people these days have some experience or knowledge of someone who’s experienced cancer.”

The group is open to people battling any form of the disease.

Recent statistics from Cancer Council Victoria showed an average of 669 people were diagnosed with cancer in the City of Greater Bendigo region from 2011-13.

Prostate cancer remains the most detected cancer in men, with 328 diagnoses between 2011-13.

Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer in women with 256 diagnoses.

Other common cancers for Bendigo people include bowel (249 diagnoses), lung (192) and melanoma (127).

Ms Paten said the group aimed to help those affected by cancer to gain confidence, hope and inner-strength.

“They share what strategies they use and their emotional experiences, or they might just want to talk about other aspects of their life which aren’t cancer related but it provides them an opportunity to feel supported,” she said.

“And it provides opportunities for new people coming into the group to possibly meet up with someone who has a similar cancer and may have trialled different types of medication.”

Ms Paten said another important aspect to the group was the support it provided to carers.

“Carers can become quite isolated, giving up work, recreational activities and other interests and can sometimes find it difficult dealing with the treatments or the changes to the person they are caring for,” she said.

“Sometimes they don’t even know what to do or where to get help.

“Cancer support groups provide a valuable role in linking people into local support and information and providing companionship and a place to meet others.”

The support group offers access to a range of well-qualified guest speakers, including health professionals.

Meetings provide information on referrals, updates on other services and emotional support.

Ms Paten said studies by Monash University and the Social Science and Medicine Journal pointed to increases in life quality and increased survival rates through cancer support group participation.

“People gained increased confidence, a sense of control in their relationships with themselves living with cancer and interactions with, in particular, the medical profession,” she said.

“That’s a really important thing – people often feel disempowered when they have a health problem and sometimes don’t understand it or feel too afraid to ask questions.

“Being part of  a support group enables people to feel more confident to ask questions from their GP or specialist and is a really important part of being able to process what is going on for them.”

For more information or to join the group contact Rochelle Paten on 5454 9251