Characteristics Contributing to an Enduring Prostate Cancer Support Group in an Asian and Pacific Islander Community

Abstract

Although many cancer survivors address cancer-related concerns through contact with fellow patients in support groups, few reports have focused on the experience of Asians and Pacific Islanders. This report summarizes the results of semistructured interviews with 24 participants in a well-established prostate cancer support group in Hilo, Hawaii, 17 of whom were of Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry. According to the men, the benefits of group participation include camaraderie, information, improved coping ability, and ability to discuss medical experiences. The group's success was attributed to its peer leadership, participation of peer-professionals, and members' widespread participation in a variety of activities. The group contributed to the larger community by organizing specific events for family members, interacting outside the meetings, and tailoring group activities to reflect multicultural preferences for communication. The experiences of the Hilo group contrast with the experiences of other support groups reported in the literature. Although information seeking in the group was important, emotional and social support was at least as significant, and use of humor and discussions of negative experiences regarding medical care were common. The group's distinctive features may stem from the values and norms of its close-knit, multiethnic, predominantly Asian and Pacific Islander small-town community. The findings imply that for prostate cancer support groups, one “size” does not fit all men and communities and that tailoring support groups to the intended participants is crucially important.