Fighting Spirit: a psychoeducational group for younger women with breast cancer

Overall cancer survival rates in the United Kingdom are demonstrating a continual and progressive increase. Women diagnosed with breast cancer contribute to 28% of the 45% of all female cancers in the higher survival band (Coleman et al, 1999). As medical therapies strive to cure or extend the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer the quality of their cancer experience becomes paramount. Fighting Spirit is a support group that aims to reduce psychological morbidity in young women diagnosed with breast cancer. It promotes an optimistic attitude and a wish to participate and learn about treatment modalities while carrying on a normal life despite having cancer. The programme provides supportive therapy for both curative and palliative care. This article offers a rationale for the group intervention, describes the model used and the programme content. The facilitators' experience of running the group is also discussed.