BUFFALO, NY-- When someone is battling breast cancer there are so many questions, concerns and fears that it often helps patients to join a support group.
Dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment comes with lots of challenges and issues but few of them are unique.
That's why so many patients choose to join a support group of some kind.
Bosom Buddies is one of the oldest and most active. They were founded in 1992 and they have close to 100 members who are in various stages of their recovery, including many long time survivors.
They're an informal group that hosts speakers and they do fun activities throughout the year. Their goal is to pair new members with a buddy who can relate to what they're going through right now.
"They need to talk about it," said Bosom Buddies Co-Founder Bunkie Hawk.
"It's too bad that for so many years it was just sort of put under the rug. They really need to talk. And a meeting like this-- this is what they can do if they want to," she added.
Jennifer Hydeman, Ph.D. is a medical psychologist ar Roswell Park Cancer Institute and counsels patients in treatment. She said support groups offer a special kind of help.
"It's one thing to talk to a family member, its one thing to talk to a professional," said Dr. Hydeman.
"But its really different, its a whole different feel when you know that person sitting across from you to next to you-- without words-- just gets exactly what you've been through," the doctor explained.
Support groups operate with various formats and styles so Dr. Hydeman recommends that a patient not get discouraged if they don't feel an instant fit.
"Give it time", is her advice, and shop around for a group that's right for you.
Bosom Buddies has also raised close to a million dollars for the Western New York Breast Resource Center over the past two decades.