Cancer society’s peer supportPeer support often makes things easier for patients and their loved ones. The Cancer Society’s trained volunteers provide peer support for cancer patients and their loved ones throughout the country. Peer support occupies an important place alongside the work of professionals. Sometimes a person who has gone through the same situation knows best how to support someone living with cancer and to help him or her cope with everyday life. The Cancer Society’s trained volunteers provide peer support for cancer patients and their loved ones. The Cancer Society has a network of hundreds of support persons. They include people with cancer, the relatives and friends of cancer patients, and active volunteers. The regional cancer societies and patients’ organisations belonging to the Cancer Society are responsible for peer support activities. The associations organise meetings, courses and support groups for patients and their loved ones. Most of the peer support activities are in Finnish. Some organisations also provide services in Swedish and in English. You can find more information about peer support from the various organisations’ websites. Regional cancer societies and national patients’ organisations(opens in a new window) Peer support persons and peer support groups The aim of peer support is to assist people with cancer and their loved ones. Peer support helps patients find the strength and means to live with cancer. The Cancer Society’s peer support persons are people who have either themselves had cancer or who have loved ones with the disease. Peer support persons are given training in their tasks. You can meet with a peer support person either on a one-to-one basis or in a small group. Meetings can be arranged on the cancer association’s premises or at your hospital, for instance. You can also be in touch with the peer support person by phone or online. Peer support persons(opens in a new window) I would like a peer support person Terminal care support person Patients receiving terminal care and their loved ones require plenty of support. Terminal care support persons help and comfort patients receiving hospice care and their loved ones. Terminal care support persons are carefully selected and they receive training organised by the Cancer Society. Hospices and cancer associations train hospice care support persons. The participants are chosen carefully, including thorough interviews. Terminal care Approaching death
