Although Support Groups are not for everyone, it's interesting to note that statistics are now proving that people diagnosed with major illnesses are healthier having joined one. The most common reaction people have when someone mentions a support group is that "these people" just can't deal with their problems or that they want sympathy. But this is simply not so. It is true that a support group does give many men and women the freedom to air frustrations and fears that they may otherwise be keeping inside, but a support group also allows its members a chance to learn new perspectives, new medical techniques and to become better informed. Women who have experienced Breast Cancer can go through a wide range of emotions, with anger and fear generally at the top of the list. But many women also feel they lose the ability to make choices, that they are somehow less of a woman, or that it is somehow a "shameful" illness. Women also may feel that they must outdo themselves to keep family and friends from worrying, or in some cases, friends and family may constantly steer conversations clear of the illness which may make a woman feel that no one really cares or her fears are unfounded. And support groups are a wonderful place to learn about new findings and techniques and a great place for speakers ranging from oncologists to nutritionists. A support group allows women to educate themselves, which in turn will empower them to reach out to someone else in need someday. Again, Support Groups are not for everyone or they may not be for everyone all the time. But they serve a purpose. They fill a need.