Sometimes Patients Simply Need Other Patients

One of the primary focuses of ANA is offering support to patients, both newly diagnosed and those that are post-treatment. We do that in a number of ways, from support groups and our online discussion forum to our Peer Mentor program of patients that are willing to talk about their experiences.

This article speaks to that kind of peer support. It isn't medical advice and it doesn't come from professionals, but it comes from other patients sharing their stories and offering support to those wondering what is normal and what is not. As this article states, oftentimes, other patients are better equipped to answer those kinds of questions. It is important to be cautious though because misinformation can be communicated and one patient's experience doesn't always translate to others with the same condition. With that said, it has been our experience at ANA that the sense of community that comes with peer support is an invaluable tool for many patients as they come to terms with diagnosis and recovery.  View article here