By Frances Ford, MSW, LCSW-R, OSW-C

Writing has been recognized to have a myriad of psychological benefits. It has been found to help individuals express inhibited emotions, create a new narrative about a traumatic event, and find meaning in a stressful experience. (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005; Pennebaker & Beall, 1986). Importantly, writing has also been identified as an accessible therapeutic tool during times of stress (Adams, 1990). Research has shown that cancer patients often experience extreme distress. (Kirk et al., 2021).  Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that distress is common after a patient has transitioned into survivorship (National Cancer Institute, 2020). Consequently, writing has the potential to serve as a beneficial and attainable therapeutic intervention for the oncology population, including for those in survivorship. 

Since 2021, New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH) has offered virtual writing groups. The groups are facilitated by Emily Rubin, an author and cancer survivor, and supported by the NYOH Community Cancer Foundation. Writing prompts are provided and patients are encouraged to write during and between sessions. Prompts are not necessarily related to cancer and offer patients an opportunity to write about whatever has meaning to them. Some of the prompts include patients writing about how they got their name and their very first memory. Patients are welcome to share their writings or their reflections during the workshop sessions. These groups have proven to be highly successful and have grown in popularity. The 2021 group was composed of eight patients and one caregiver. The 2022 group was composed of nine patients. Due to demand for the group, two separate workshops were hosted in 2023 with a total of 22 participants. In 2024, NYOH hosted three workshops, as well as two drop-in sessions for past participants to reconnect. Between the workshops and drop-in sessions, 29 patients participated in 2024. Due to their continued success, more workshops and drop-in sessions are being offered in 2025. 

Interestingly, many of the patients who participated in these workshops were no longer on active treatment. Anecdotal feedback suggested that patients were in a better place physically to participate. Additionally, patients expressed that with fewer medical appointments, committing to a weekly writing workshop seemed more feasible. Patients also found the workshops very accessible and felt they had the capacity to participate in ongoing workshops. It was this feedback that led to the addition of drop-in sessions for past participants. Furthermore, qualitative data received from post-surveys suggested that patients in survivorship were looking for an opportunity to reflect on their cancer journey and find meaning in that experience. Many patients shared that they appreciated the opportunity to be in the same space with other cancer patients, without the pressure to talk about their cancer journey. It seemed patients were also craving the chance to reflect on other aspects of their lives that took on a different meaning after their diagnosis.   

Some of the qualitative feedback we received included:

• “It was very different from a support group… yet I felt very supported. Focusing on finding the words for the assignments helped me to regain them.”
• “It definitely did help me be more compassionate with myself. It also gave me permission to explore the frustrations of my diagnosis as well as some positive aspects of it.”
• “The writing workshop helps me express things that are hard otherwise…the group knows what it’s like to go through treatment, side effects, etc. without judgment; it’s a safe, wonderful place to explore our thoughts, dreams and hopes.” 
• “We begin by sharing our cancer stories, then we move on and learn amazing things about people whose lives are not defined by cancer, but who have dealt with it head on and are navigating living with it. What a wonderful, rare glimpse we get to have…all through this writing group!” 
• “Being able to listen to each others’ stories connects us in a way that transcends our cancer diagnoses and gives us new perspectives on who we are and what we’re capable of accomplishing.” 

As cancer becomes an increasingly chronic condition, more and more patients will enter the survivorship stage of their cancer journey. Consequently, it is important to consider what interventions will help patients as they navigate the often-unexpected emotional challenges of survivorship. The success of the Write Treatment Workshops highlights the role of writing in supporting survivors. Writing can serve as an accessible intervention that helps survivors obtain a greater sense of well-being, find new meaning in their cancer experience, and incorporate this experience into the greater context of their lives.  

References 

Adams, K.A., (1990). Journal to the self: Twenty-two paths to personal growth. New York, NY: Warner Books.

Baikie, K. & Wilhelm, K. (2005). Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5), 338-346. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338 

Kirk, D., Kabdebo, I., & Whitehead, L., (2021). Prevalence of distress, its associated factors and referral to support services in people with cancer. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(19-20), 2873-2885.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15794 

National Cancer Institute. (2020, April 30) Helping Cancer Survivors Cope with Cancer-Related Anxiety and Distress. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/cancer-survivors-managing-anxietydistress#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20anxiety%20and,their%20long%2Dterm%20health%20needs.  

Pennebaker, J.W., & Beall, S.K. (1986). Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychiatry, 95(3),274-281