Sponsored or facilitated by the Patient & Family Cancer Support Center, support groups foster a sense of community among people affected by cancer. The PFCSC offers a wide range of such groups, listed below. Some groups require preregistration, so it is important to call before your first meeting.
For general cancer support, or to identify groups for diseases or affiliations not listed here, please contact the Patient & Family Cancer Support Center at (415) 885-3693 or by email.
For support groups outside UCSF, download our current resource guide.
Prior to attending any group, please confirm event details (Zoom, in person, etc) with either the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center at 415.885.3693 or the event organizer.
Groups for Cancer Types
All Cancer—All Stages
Wednesdays, 5:20-6:50 pm.
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
For patients only.
Contact: [email protected]
Advanced Breast Cancer
A support group for those diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 5:00-6:30 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability.
Contact: (415) 476-3315
General Breast Cancer
A support group for those diagnosed with stages I-III breast cancer.
3rd Thursday of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability.
Contact: (415) 353-9874
Bladder Cancer
Educational & Support Group
1st Thursday of the month, 12:30-2:00 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability.
Contact: (415) 514-1707
Blood Cancer (Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Hodgkin’s Disease)
2nd Tuesday, 3:00–4:30 pm
Family and Friends welcome.
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability
Contact: (415) 353-2965
Cáncer de Sangre - Grupo de Apoyo en Español para pacientes de UCSF
Nuestro grupo de apoyo brinda un espacio seguro para conectarse con otras personas que se enfrentan al cáncer.
Cada cuarto jueves del mes de 2:30pm a 3:30pm
Llamanos al 415-502-4636 o envíenos un email al [email protected] para registrarse.
Brain Tumor
1st Wednesday of the month (skips December), 6:30-8:00 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability
Contact: (415) 990-4461 or (415) 661-1442
Colo-Rectal Cancer
Open to patients and their partners.
2nd and 4th Mondays 6:00-7:30 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability
Contact: Vittorio Comelli, PsyD, (415) 203-9619
Gynecological Cancer
1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 4:30–6:30 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability
Contact: (415) 514-1962
Head & Neck Cancer Education and Support Group
(Educational sessions on even months)
A series for those diagnosed with Head & Neck Cancer.
3rd Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 pm
Telehealth format. Call or email for information and availability.
Contact: (415) 514-6338 or email [email protected]
Or (415) 885-3693 or email [email protected]
Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Support Group
2nd Tuesdays, 12:00-1:30 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability.
Contact: (415) 885-7789
Neuroendocrine Tumor Education & Support
Open to patients and their partners/caregivers.
1st Wednesdays (odd months), 12:00–2:00 pm
Contact: (415) 502-1887
Prostate Cancer
Open to patients, significant others, relatives, friends, and caregivers.
2nd Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
Contact: (415) 514-1707
Prostate Cancer Support for Gay Men
Open to gay men and their partners.
1st & 3rd Mondays, 6:00-7:30 pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
Contact: Vittorio Comelli, PsyD, (415) 203-9619
Anal Cancer Support Group for Women
1st Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30 pm
Telehealth Format. RSVP necessary to attend.
Contact: 415-885-3693 or [email protected]
Groups for Caregivers
Family & Friends
2nd Wednesday of the month, 5:30–7:00 pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
Contact: 415-420-6389
Husbands & Significant Others
Open to male-identifying husbands, spouses, and romantic partners.
2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
Contact: (415) 361-1687
Neuro-Oncology Gordon Murray Caregiver Program
For more information, please visit or call (415) 514-5674.
Other Languages and Heritage
Please call the Resource Center to find out about Bay Area support groups held in Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin, as well as for women of African-American heritage.
Other Support Groups
Individual & Couple’s Counseling
For referrals, call the Cancer Support Center, (415) 885-3693.
Psycho-oncology Services
A psychologist and a psychiatrist are on staff for individual consultation for UCSF Cancer Center patients and their families to assist with coping, pain and other symptoms, insomnia, mood disorders and more.
Contact your UCSF practice.
Spiritual Counseling and Guidance
Chaplains available to provide spiritual counseling and to assist in coping with bereavement.
Contact: (415) 885-7785
Additional Support Organizations in the Community
Our support groups are made possible in part by a generous donation from the Donna Smith Fund. Donna fought cancer with an indomitable spirit and left a legacy of encouraging family and patient involvement and participation with their own diagnosis.