Online communities & support groups
Patients, survivors, and caregivers who want to connect with people who understand — from anywhere, at any hour.
What help is available
Discussion forums run by established organizations, professionally facilitated online groups, and patient-led communities organized by cancer type and situation.
Good to know
Communities differ in moderation and privacy. Members share personal experiences, not medical advice — never change treatment decisions based only on an online group.
A note about peer support
Peer support can provide understanding and practical encouragement, but group members may share personal experiences that do not apply to everyone. Do not change treatment, medication, or urgent-care decisions based only on advice from an online group.
10 listed resources
Most recent check: 2026-07-13
- Online communityVerified active (recheck overdue)
Breastcancer.org Community
Discussion forums run by Breastcancer.org where people affected by breast cancer discuss diagnosis, treatment, and life after treatment.
OnlineOnline — worldwideFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Peer support groupVerified active
CancerCare Online Support Groups
Free online support groups led by CancerCare's professional oncology social workers, covering many diagnoses and situations, including caregiving and bereavement.
OnlineOnline — country specificFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Online communityOrganization confirmed (recheck overdue)
CaringBridge
A nonprofit platform for creating free personal pages to keep family and friends updated during a health journey, with tools for coordinating support.
OnlineOnline — worldwideFree (donations optional)Checked 2026-07-12
- Online communityVerified active (recheck overdue)
COLONTOWN
A patient-led online community for colorectal cancer patients and care partners, organized into topic- and stage-specific groups.
OnlineOnline — worldwideFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Online communityVerified active (recheck overdue)
Inspire Health Communities
An online health-community platform hosting condition-specific communities, many run in partnership with patient-advocacy organizations.
OnlineOnline — worldwideFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Online communityVerified active (recheck overdue)
MyLifeLine
A Cancer Support Community platform for creating free private websites to share updates with family and friends, plus discussion boards for connecting with others.
OnlineOnline — worldwideFreeChecked 2026-07-12
- Peer support groupVerified active
RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association
A national nonprofit offering peer-led support groups and education for people experiencing infertility, including infertility after cancer treatment.
Online & in personNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-12
- Online communityVerified active (recheck overdue)
Smart Patients
An online community where patients and caregivers discuss treatments, research, and daily life, organized into condition-specific conversations.
OnlineOnline — worldwideFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Peer support groupVerified active
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)
A nonprofit dedicated to oral, head, and neck cancer, offering local chapter support groups, a national survivor volunteer network, and patient resources.
Online & in personNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Peer support groupVerified active
ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association
A volunteer-run nonprofit offering thyroid-cancer support groups, one-to-one peer support, education, and a low-iodine cookbook.
Online & in personNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-12
Related guides
What this directory is — and isn’t
This is a free discovery tool. Listing an organization, program, or community here does not mean Cancer Explained medically endorses it, and we cannot guarantee assistance, availability, or eligibility. Details change — always confirm directly with the organization. This directory is not medical advice, triage, or an emergency service. How listings are checked →