Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Support Groups and Seminars

Contact Us About Support Groups

617-632-3301
Support Groups Schedule for November 2025

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center offers a variety of support groups and educational seminars to help adult patients and their families cope with the challenges of cancer.

About Our Educational Seminars

Our educational seminars are offered in small-group settings that encourage questions and discussion. Topics may include: 

  • Exploring the role of spirituality in illness
  • Discovering ways to eat better
  • Practicing relaxation techniques
  • Learning how to integrate exercise into treatment and follow-up care

About Our Support Groups

Our support groups, which focus on specific cancers and treatments, provide a space to share experiences, exchange information, and find encouragement. Each session is led by experienced and compassionate staff who guide discussions and provide support.

Note: Many of our support groups are held virtually via Zoom, while some take place in person at Dana-Farber's Longwood or South Shore locations (unless otherwise noted). Please check details when registering.

November Support Group Schedule

Check out the current month's support group schedule for details about meeting times and contact information.

Support Group Schedule

How to Register

Patients receiving care at any Dana-Farber location across our network are welcome to join our groups and programs. Some of our programs are also open to families and non-Dana-Farber patients. Please check the Support Group Schedule for details on registering for a specific program

For more information, call 617-632-3301.

Support Groups by Need

Bereavement Support Groups (for family members of Dana-Farber patients): Seminars, six-week programs, and drop-in support groups for adults whose loved ones were patients at Dana-Farber or any Dana-Farber-affiliated regional campus clinic. 

Caregiver Support Group: A drop-in support group for spouses, partners, and family members of Dana-Farber cancer patients.

Circle of Life (Círculo de Vida): Support Group in Spanish for Women with Cancer: A support group for Spanish-speaking women with any cancer diagnosis.

Committed Couples Embracing Life Together: A strengths-based support group: A support group for couples of all cancer types, focused on growth, mutual support, and connection in all intimate relationships.

Coping with Cancer Support Group: A support group for patients living with cancer. Participants can discuss ways to cope with fear and anxiety, and share hope and meaning with others facing similar challenges.

Finding Our Way: A 6-week CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Mindfulness-based group focused on coping with cancer. The group is open to people currently in treatment.

LGBTQ+ Support Group: Prism: A drop-in support group for LGBTQ+ adults (18+) receiving hematology or oncology care at Dana-Farber or other area hospitals.

Shared Journeys Support Group (Spiritual Care Group): A discussion series for patients at Dana-Farber. Shared Journeys offers a supportive, non-judgmental space where women can share their stories and find spiritual support and discover connection.

Young Adult Caregiver Peer Program – Parents: A 6-session group for parents caring for young adult children (ages 18–early 40's). Each session explores issues unique to parenting a young adult patient, along with time to share experiences and support with other parents.

Young Adult Caregiver Peer Program – Partners/Spouses: A 6-session closed group via Zoom for partners and spouses of young adult patients (ages 18–early 40's). Each session focuses on topics relevant to caregiving for a young adult, with additional time to connect and share with peers.

Young Adult POST Program: A 6-session group for young adult patients (ages 18–early 40's) who have completed treatment within the past few years. Sessions focus on post-treatment concerns and include time for peer connection and support.

Young Adult Support Group: A support group for young adult patients (18 - early 40's) who are in treatment or recently out of treatment to connect. 

Support Groups by Disease Type

    Breast Cancer

    Breast Cancer Support Group: A support group for patients diagnosed with early-stage (0, I, II, III) breast cancer, offering a space to connect with others, share experiences, and explore ways to cope with their diagnosis and its impact through education and support.

    Breast Cancer Support Group (Dana-Farber at South Shore Health): A support group for patients diagnosed with breast cancer, offering a safe space to share experiences related to your diagnosis.

    Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support Group: A support group with a psychoeducational focus for individuals with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), featuring sessions led by Dana-Farber clinicians who provide information and foster open discussion in a supportive setting.

    Older Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer Support Group (OABC Coffee Hour): A monthly, virtual drop-in support group for older patients with early-stage breast cancer, offering connection, shared experiences, resources, and friendship. Assistance with Zoom is available.

    Older Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group (OABC Coffee Hour): A monthly, virtual drop-in support group for older patients with metastatic breast cancer to share experiences, resources, and friendship. Assistance with Zoom is available.

    Stage IV Breast Cancer Support Group: A support group for patients diagnosed with stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer, offering space to share emotional support and connection.

    Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer: A six-session support group for patients transitioning from active treatment to maintenance and monitoring, focused on discussing topics relevant to moving forward after breast cancer.

    Young Adult Breast Cancer Support Group: A six-week support group for young patients and survivors diagnosed with early-stage (0, I, II, III) breast cancer before age 45 and within 12 months of diagnosis, offering discussion on topics relevant to their experience. 

    Gastrointestinal Cancer

    Metastatic Gastrointestinal Cancer Support Group: A support group for patients seeking connection, shared experiences, and encouragement during challenging times.

    Neuroendocrine & Carcinoid Seminar/Support Group Series: A two-part support group program offering an informational session followed by a support group for patients and families.

    YOCCC (Young Onset Colorectal Cancer) Caregiver Support Group: A support group for adult caregivers of patients diagnosed with young onset colorectal cancer (under age 50).

    YOCCC (Young Onset Colorectal Cancer) Stage IV Lunch Break Group: A support group for patients under age 50 diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer, providing an informal space to connect with others who understand.

    YOCCC (Young Onset Colorectal Cancer) Survivorship and Early-stage Group: A support group for patients under age 50 with early-stage (I, II, and III) colorectal cancer or who have recently completed treatment, offering space for connection and shared experiences. 

    Genitourinary Cancer

    Kidney Cancer Support Group: A support group for kidney cancer patients in active treatment or who have recently completed treatment.

    Men over 50 Prostate Cancer Support Group: A patient-only support group for men over 50 receiving treatments for prostate cancer.

    Prostate Cancer Support Group for African American Men: A support group through the Prostate Health Education Network, focused on the needs of Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

    Prostate Support Group (Dana-Farber at South Shore Health): A support group for men with prostate cancer to share experiences, information, and resources.

    Gynecologic Cancer

    Gynecologic Cancer Support Group: A support group for Dana-Farber patients diagnosed with gynecologic cancer – across ages, diagnoses, and treatment stages.

    Hematologic Oncology

    Lymphoma/CLL Support Group: A support group for patients diagnosed with lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), offering space to share experiences, comfort, and support.

    Multiple Myeloma Education and Discussion Group: A support group featuring a multiple myeloma–related presentation followed by separate discussion groups for patients and caregivers.

    Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Peer Support Forum: An inclusive support group for all individuals and families affected by Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia in New England, regardless of where they receive care and treatment.

    Hematology

    One Year Post-Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group: A monthly support group for Dana-Farber patients who have completed one year of recovery following allogeneic bone marrow transplant.

    Melanoma

    Melanoma Support Group: A support group for patients in active treatment for melanoma. 

    Neuro-Oncology

    Brain Tumor Support Group: A support group for patients affected by brain tumors, offering space to share experiences, feelings, and challenges. Patients are welcome to attend with family and caregivers.

    Sarcoma

    Desmoid Support Group: A drop-in support group through the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Sarcoma Program at Dana-Farber, open to patients ages 18–39 diagnosed with a desmoid tumor.

    Sarcoma Support Group: A monthly support group for sarcoma patients, focused on sharing experiences, building resilience, and reducing isolation. Screening is required.

    Thoracic

    Young Adult Thoracic (Lung) Group: A support group for patients 50 and younger living with lung cancer, offering a space to connect and share experiences.

    TOP Talks (Thoracic Oncology Program): A support group program for patients coping with a lung cancer diagnosis. This group offers a space to connect and share your experiences, strengths, and challenges with others.

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