Support Groups For Adult Cancer Patients & Caregivers

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. Most groups require participants be in the state of California during the meeting. Please inquire with the facilitator for more information. 

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.

All Cancer—All Stages
Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
For patients only.
Contact: [email protected]

Anal Cancer Support for Women
4th Tuesdays, 2:15-3:30 pm
Telehealth Format. RSVP necessary to attend.
Contact: 415-502-1887

Advanced Breast Cancer
A support group for those diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.
1st and 3^rd 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

Young Women's Breast Cancer Support Group
A support group for women 45 years or younger with early stage breast cancer receiving care at UCSF. We hope to enable shared stories, connection, and learning. 
Co-facilitators: Chiara Leifer LCSW & Debby Hamolsky RN, MSN
Expert faculty and staff guest speakers will join us.

Location: Hybrid. Please contact us for information
Meetings: (Fall 2024 Cohort) Mondays, 5-6:30 PM, bi-weekly. Begins October 7th, 2024.
Contact: [email protected]

Young People with Breast Cancer (BAYS)
BAYS is a support community for young people with breast cancer in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are an inclusive breast cancer community for those experiencing the unique issues that come with having breast cancer at a young age.

Monthly Virtual Zoom Support Groups
1st  Sunday morning, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
2nd Thursday evening, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
3rd Sunday morning, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
4th Tuesday evening, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM PST

MITC (for young members with metastatic breast cancer)
Zoom Virtual Support Groups
1st Tuesday afternoon, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST
3rd Tuesday afternoon, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST

For more information and to sign up, please email BAYS staff at [email protected] or contact [email protected]

Breast Cancer Café
Check out the Breast Cancer Cafe. A drop-in Zoom meeting every other Friday where you can ask questions and get tips and resources about navigating and managing breast cancer at UCSF. We welcome anyone with breast cancer, regardless of stage or where you are in treatment. Open to UCSF patients who have a breast cancer diagnosis, or genetic mutation, regardless of where in treatment (from newly diagnosed to just finished with treatment). There is no commitment to attend more than one session. Attendees must be located in California at the time of the session. 

Every other Friday, 2:00–3:30 pm 
Location: Zoom | Register to attend

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  |  4th Thursday, 10:30 am–12:00 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 5:00-6:30 pm
Telehealth format. Call for information and availability
Contact: Vittorio Comelli, PsyD, (415) 203-9619

Grupo Esperanza: Support Group for Spanish Speakers (UCSD Moores Cancer Center)
2nd Wednesday of each month, 10:00 am
2do Miércoles de cada mes, 10:00 am

Un grupo de apoyo emocional gratuito para pacientes con cáncer y sus familiares. El grupo es en español y facilitado por la Doctora Sara Fainstein, sobreviviente de cáncer de mama. Los pacientes no tienen que ser pacientes de UCSD. Es solo para adultos, cualquier tipo de cáncer y en cualquier etapa. Es tanto para pacientes como para familiares. Se trata de un grupo híbrido. Nos reunimos en persona (San Diego, CA), así como a través de ZOOM. Contáctenos al correo electrónico [email protected] para mas información.

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
(Educational sessions on even months)
A series for those diagnosed with Head & Neck Cancer.
3^rd Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 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]

LGBTQI+ Cancer Support Group (Sutter Health) 
This is a general cancer support group for individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community. The group is held virtually (for now) and is open to adults who have been diagnosed with cancer and would like to share about their experience in a supportive and affirming environment.

3rd Thursday of the month, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Virtual format. Call for information and availability.
Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Support
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: [email protected] or sign up here

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, 5:00-6:30 pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
Contact: Vittorio Comelli, PsyD, (415) 203-9619

Prostate Cancer Support Groups of Northern California
Looking for a prostate cancer support group near you? View this list of support groups in various locations across Northern California.

Serious Illness Support Group
Conversations about living and dying
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PST
This group is for those with serious illness to meet and to connect with others. Not limited to cancer.
Our goal is to provide a safe place for you to explore,

• To freely say out loud and share what you are experiencing, thinking and feeling
• To listen and learn from each other: what helps, what hurts and what heals?
• To express your concerns about the impact your illness has on others and yourself
• To talk about sharing information and having conversations with your loved ones

Sessions are open to people with serious illness. Meetings held virtually via Zoom. Link sent upon registration. Registration closes the day before the group.
Facilitators: Lacy Fetting is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oncology whose keen interest in Palliative Care has often focused on supporting patients in their communications with children. Lacy works with the GI Medical and Surgical Oncology team at UCSF, Mission Bay.
To Register: Call the MERI Center at 415.509.8645 or email us at [email protected]

Young Adults with Cancer Support Groups
Discover dedicated cancer support groups for young adults, offering a vital community for shared experiences and practical advice. These resources promote resilience and unity, ensuring inclusive access for all young adults facing the challenges of cancer.

• Offered by Stupid Cancer 
  Stupid Cancer Meetups are social gatherings for the adolescent and young adult community. Connect online or in-person with other patients, survivors, caregivers, and professionals to build lasting friendships with people that share your experiences. To see calendar, please visit https://stupidcancer.org/meetups/
• Offered by CancerCare
  15-week online support groups for young adults coping with cancer. 
  Start dates varies. To learn more and register, visit https://onlinegroups.cancercare.org/

Family & Friends
2nd Wednesday of the month, 12pm-1:30pm
Telehealth Format. Call for information and availability
Contact: 415-502-1887

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: 415-885-3693

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.

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