Cape Wellness Collaborative Hosts New Cancer Support Group For Men

SOUTH YARMOUTH – It’s a stereotype that has more than a ring of truth to it: men are less likely to regularly visit the doctor, more reluctant to pay attention to warning signs, and less likely to seek peer support after a cancer diagnosis. That’s why Cape Wellness Collaborative is establishing a first-in-the-region monthly support group designed for men in any stage of their cancer journey, whether they’re recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment or living in remission.

 “Cancer hits men just as hard as women, and right now, out of almost 1,000 clients that we’re presently serving, only 23 percent are male,” said Carol Bosco Baumann, CEO of Cape Wellness Collaborative.

 The Collaborative is all about helping Cape and Islands residents facing cancer to feel better by providing integrative therapies, nourishing meals and emotional support services. Clients are eligible for services within the first year of their diagnosis or up to a year from the date they apply. People facing cancer can apply to receive a wellness card valued at $750 to use for integrative therapies with a host of affiliated practitioners, and caregivers may receive a similar card valued at $200. The nonprofit was established by local musician Sarah Swain after she lost her mother to ovarian cancer.

 There’s nothing quite as earthshaking as a cancer diagnosis, as many people know.

 “There’s that shock and disbelief, and then there’s often a feeling of overwhelm that people experience,” Baumann said. A key strategy that oncologists and social workers stress during this period is the use of mindfulness tools “to help them get through that part of their cancer journey,” she said. 

 “A lot of times, folks just want to connect,” said Becca Norton, the Collaborative’s program and operations director. There’s value in simply talking with other people who have gone through the process.

 The new men’s support group will be led by two facilitators who were chosen carefully for the job. Licensed social worker Jeffrey Gaudet has more than 35 years of experience and has served as an oncology social worker and the Survivorship Program manager at Cape Cod Healthcare. And Kevin Case is thriving after a diagnosis last year of Stage III HPV anal cancer. He became a client of the Collaborative and helped recognize the gap in resources and support for men navigating cancer.

 “It was really great to have someone with more clinical experience working and doing counseling, and someone who has lived experience to kind of co-facilitate,” Norton said.

 Organizers understand that men, or people who identify as men, may be new to the idea of a support group, and they’ve made the process as approachable as possible. The meetings happen every first Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Cape Wellness Collaborative’s office at 436-B Station Ave. in South Yarmouth, and attendees are asked to RSVP by visiting www.CapeWellness.org and selecting “support groups” under the “client services” tab. Attendees don’t even have to be clients of the Collaborative to take part. What should they expect at their first session?

 “They can expect to walk into a room with probably a whole bunch of other guys who feel the same way as them,” Baumann said. Maybe they’re not too comfortable sharing, or maybe their partner made them come. 

 “Men don’t have to share if they don’t want to,” Norton said. The facilitators will give a bit of background on how the group runs, and then open a dialogue. “Mostly it’s going to be a little more loose in the beginning, to really understand what people’s needs are,” she said. Ultimately, the group will be a safe space where men can feel some camaraderie and a connection with others going through similar experiences.

 The first session for the men’s support group is Nov. 3. It’s free of charge to attend, but space is limited. Learn more on the website or call 774-408-8477 for more information.