First, it is important to remember that you do not need to do everything all at once. Taking small steps can be more than enough. Here are some simple ways to start exploring support options¹:

• Ask your care team: You can ask your oncologist, surgeon, breast nurse, or psychologist if there are support groups, peer programs, or local breast cancer associations they recommend. Many hospitals have information desks, nurse navigators, or social workers whose role is to help patients find and access local resources.
• Use trusted national organizations: Visit the website of your country’s main cancer society or breast cancer foundation. For example, in Switzerland you can visit the site of the Swiss Cancer League. Most offer a “find local support” section where you can search by region or postcode. Many also run telephone helplines where a trained counsellor can guide you towards support groups and associations in your area.
• Ask within your community: Pharmacies, community centres, town halls, religious or cultural centres, and local patient groups often know about cancer-related services nearby and can direct you to them.
• Consider online support: If travel is difficult or you live far from cancer centres, online support groups, forums, and video sessions can offer similar benefits: feeling understood, less isolated, and more empowered. If you are unsure which online communities are safe or reliable, ask your care team or a well-known cancer organization for recommendations for moderated groups.^1,2

Once you have identified some options, you can start gently by attending one meeting or making one phone call. You always remain free to stop, switch, or try something new. Support should feel helpful, never stressful, and you deserve to find the approach that works best for you.

Sources

1. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Support Groups. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/adjusting-to-cancer/support-groups (2024).
2. Ruiz-Romeo, M. et al. Empowerment among breast cancer survivors using an online peer support community. Support. Care Cancer 33, 56 (2025).

Creative and cultural activities can be a meaningful part of your healing journey. They are not “extras” or luxuries. Instead, they can support your emotional well-being, help you cope with treatment, and offer moments of comfort and connection during a difficult time. Choosing activities that you genuinely enjoy, like listening to music, drawing, reading, gardening, joining a choir, or taking part in a creative workshop, can make treatment periods and follow-up feel more manageable and more meaningful.

Art therapy and guided creative spaces

Creative therapies and activities can offer a gentle, non-verbal way to process emotions that are difficult to express. Research shows that they can reduce anxiety, depression, and pain, while providing a sense of relaxation and calm. Making or enjoying art can also help you reconnect with your identity beyond the illness, reminding you of what you enjoy, what inspires you, and what makes you feel like yourself. Studies in women with breast cancer show that creative arts interventions can improve quality of life, resilience, and the ability to cope with both physical and emotional challenges.^1,2

Art therapy is one example of how creativity can support well-being. It offers a safe, non-verbal way to explore emotions, reduce anxiety and pain, and improve quality of life. You do not need to be “good at art” to benefit; what matters is simply the act of creating, expressing, and connecting with yourself.

For example, the Progetto Amazzone is an Italian initiative that brings together women with breast cancer through theatre, art, writing, and shared creative workshops. The project encourages participants to explore their experiences in a supportive and artistic environment, helping shift the focus from illness to personal strength, identity, and expression. Many women describe it as a way to rediscover themselves, connect with others, and find meaning and hope through creativity.

Taking part in activities such as art, music, dance, writing, theatre, crafts, gardening, or even visiting a museum or a concert can help you express feelings, reduce stress, and reconnect with parts of your life that feel overshadowed by cancer.²

Sources

1. Cheng, P., Xu, L., Zhang, J., Liu, W. & Zhu, J. Role of Arts Therapy in Patients with Breast and Gynecological Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Palliat. Med. 24, 443–452 (2021).
2. Wood, M. J. M., Molassiotis, A. & Payne, S. What research evidence is there for the use of art therapy in the management of symptoms in adults with cancer? A systematic review. Psychooncology. 20, 135–145 (2011).

It’s essential to check in on your emotional wellbeing regularly, and to take note of when negative moods are starting to impact your quality of life. Your doctor will likely ask questions about your mental health, and it’s important to let them know if you’re struggling.
Understanding and discussing the cause of your distress can make it easier to find solutions and live positively with cancer.

Why not try:

Talking to your family or friends about how you’re feeling – sharing your thoughts can be a relief for feelings of stress and anxiety

Making sure you get a good night’s sleep and practice healthy sleep habits to help you wind down before going to bed (such as meditating or reading a book)

Making healthy lifestyle changes. Simple steps like improving your nutrition or being active can help you to feel more in control of your health and relieve anxiety and depression^1,2

Sources:

1. Sánchez-Torralvo, F. J. et al. Relationship between malnutrition and the presence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in hospitalized cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer 30, 1607–1613 (2022).
2. Misiąg, W., Piszczyk, A., Szymańska-Chabowska, A. & Chabowski, M. Physical Activity and Cancer Care—A Review. Cancers 14, (2022).