Abstract
In this article results are presented of a study on the effects of patient -to-patient support on the psychosocial problems of cancer patients. Data were collected at two points in time from samples of lymphoma and breast cancer patients in accordances with a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design. Regular contacts between fellow patients decreased negative feelings (depression, anxiety and psychological complaints) and increased self-esteem. This was true especially for patient under treatment and those, whose illness had recurred. Regular contacts with other breast cancer patients decreased feelings of uncertainty especially if they had not received relevant information from their doctor. Uncertainty was also reduced in patients with Hodgkin's disease who indicated having received relevant information from their doctor. However, for those Hodgkin's disease patients who indicated that they did not receive relevant information from their specialist, having only a few contacts with fellow sufferers led to an increase in feelings of uncertainty.
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