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Support Groups

washington dc cancer survivor support group

The GW Cancer Center with support provided by the Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center understands how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be for the whole family. We offer a number of supportive and educational programs meeting bi-weekly or monthly to help you through your diagnosis. All support groups and meetings are open to all metro Washington, DC residents at no charge. Parking and light meals provided at many meetings. Schedule is subject to change due to holidays, weather conditions, or other unforeseen interruptions.

All Cancers

The all cancers group is open to all cancer patients and survivors. We meet on a bi-weekly basis to discuss common themes and give support. This group is open to all diagnoses.

Brain Tumor Support Group

The Brain Tumor Support Group is open to patients/survivors and their caregivers. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss common themes and give support. There are occasional speakers and educational lectures.

Caregiver Support Group

The Caregiver support group is a place to share common concerns, get and give advice, and learn coping skills. It is open to all people who are supporting a person with cancer.

Gentle Yoga

Gentle yoga is a relaxing yoga class that concentrates on meditation and breathing as well as gently stretching. All levels are welcome. This class is for people with cancer as well as their caregivers. Yoga is held at the Marvin Center (800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052) 5th Floor Activity Room.

Head and Neck

This group includes patients/survivors and caregivers. The group convenes on a monthly basis and will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support. A light meal is provided.

Kids’ Club

Kids’ Club is designed for ages 6-12 years old with a parent who has been diagnosed with cancer. The group is a safe space for both kids and parents to come together to explore emotions, resilience, and coping with cancer in the family through art activities. The group is held at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (1632 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009) and a light meal is provided.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Group

The metastatic breast cancer group is open to patients with stage 4 breast cancer. Share common concerns, fears, and coping strategies with others facing advanced breast cancer. A light meal is provided.

Mindfulness & Meditation

Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in everyday life. Join us for regular sessions to help you better understand and transform your mind. All experience levels welcome to attend! Open to patients, survivors, caregivers, medical professionals and the community.

Multiple Myeloma

The Multiple Myeloma group is open to patients/survivors and their caregivers. Speakers are present at some meetings to provide education and offer support. A light meal is provided.

Nutrition Club

Nutrition Club is held monthly to discuss nutrition topics related to cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is open to patients, caregivers, and providers. Lunch is provided. Please contact Jennifer Leon to RSVP: jleon@mfa.gwu.edu

Prostate Cancer Support Group

The Prostate cancer support group is open to patients and survivors. This group will alternate between education with scheduled speakers and support. A light meal is provided.

Survivorship Series

This series is targeted toward patients, caregivers, and survivors. The series will convene on a monthly basis with speakers and group discussion around emerging issues in both active treatment and post-treatment care. A light meal is provided.

Young Adult Cancer and Young Adult Caregiver Meet-Up and Support Group

The young adult groups are specifically designed for those people ages 19-39 who are currently in treatment or have been treated for cancer and their caregivers. It is held at the Smith Center (1632 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009). There is a structured facilitated discussion, and then time to socialize after group. A light meal is provided.

Most support groups meet at 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC - one block away from the Foggy Bottom Metro station. For support group dates, times and locations, contact us at (202) 677-6229. For more information on groups and how to RSVP, click here.

Conveniently Located

Clinical Trials

  • Comparing Group Approaches to Improve Insomnia Symptoms Among Breast Cancer Survivors
    We are inviting women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer who have completed active treatment (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) to participate in this research study. Through this study we will examine if our mind and body programs improve some of the long term effects of breast cancer treatment such as insomnia. This is a pilot phase of the study. This means that we are interested in feasibility of the program and will ask for your feedback about things you like and do not like about the program.
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  • Combination immunotherapy with Herceptin and theHER2 vaccine E75 in low and intermediate HER2-expressing breast cancer patients to prevent recurrence
    This is a randomized trial for after all neo or adjuvant therapy is complete for women are Her2 1+ or HER2 2+
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  • A Randomized Phase III Trial of Palbociclib with Standard Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Versus Standard Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Alone for Hormone Receptor Positive (HR+)/ Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Negative early Breast Cancer (PALLAS Study)
    The purpose of the PALLAS study is to determine whether the addition of palbociclib to adjuvant endocrine therapy will improve outcomes over endocrine therapy alone for HR+/HER2- early breast cancer.
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  • A Phase 3 Randomized Study Comparing Perioperative Nivolumab vs. Observation in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Nephrectomy (PROSPER RCC)
    This randomized phase III trial compares nephrectomy (surgery to remove a kidney or part of a kidney) with or without nivolumab in treating patients with kidney cancer that is limited to a certain part of the body (localized). Monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Giving nivolumab before nephrectomy may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed, and after nephrectomy to increase survival. It is not yet known whether nivolumab and nephrectomy is more effective than nephrectomy alone in treating patients with kidney cancer.
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  • A Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase IIIb Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Ribociclib (LEE011) in Combination with Letrozole for The Treatment of men and Pre/Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+) HER-Negative (HER2-) Advanced Breast Cancer (aBC) with No Prior Hormonal Therapy for Advanced Disease
    The purpose of the PALLAS study is to determine whether the addition of palbociclib to adjuvant endocrine therapy will improve outcomes over endocrine therapy alone for HR+/HER2- early breast cancer.
    Read More
  • A Global, Prospective, Non-Interventional, Observational Study of Presentation, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma Patients-the INSIGHT-MM study
    The objective of this study is to describe contemporary, real-world patterns of patient characteristics, clinical disease presentation, therapeutic regimen chosen, and clinical outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
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