New Facebook Support Group Offers Expert Guidance and Community for People Living with Mesothelioma

• Maja Belamaric
• Featured News
• August 14, 2026

A new Facebook support group is connecting people affected by mesothelioma with an experienced specialist nurse who understands the challenges that can come with this rare and overwhelming cancer.

Mesothelioma Nurse Consultation and Support (US-based) is a private Facebook community led by Mary Hesdorffer, RN, MSN, a highly experienced mesothelioma nurse who has dedicated her career to caring for people with mesothelioma and their families.

Although the group is based in the United States, patients, caregivers and family members from the UK and other countries are warmly welcome to join.

A space for questions, support and trusted information

A mesothelioma diagnosis can leave patients and families facing difficult decisions, unfamiliar medical terminology and uncertainty about what happens next. Finding reliable information and connecting with others who understand the experience can make an important difference.

The new group aims to provide a supportive place where members can ask questions, share experiences and learn more about living with mesothelioma.

Mary Hesdorffer brings extensive specialist experience to the community. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with people affected by mesothelioma and has authored dozens of peer-reviewed medical publications. Her focus is on helping patients and families better understand their diagnosis, treatment choices, symptom management and the resources available to them.

Members of the group can ask questions about mesothelioma and receive evidence-based educational guidance, while also connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges.

Topics discussed in the group may include treatment options, clinical trials, symptom management, supportive care and practical issues that can arise during a mesothelioma journey. Members will also be able to access trusted educational resources and updates relevant to the mesothelioma community.

Mesothelioma patients and families at every stage are welcome

The group is open to people at all stages of their mesothelioma journey.

That includes people who have recently been diagnosed, those who are considering or undergoing treatment, people exploring clinical trials, long-term survivors, caregivers and family members supporting someone they love.

While the group is US-based, its emphasis on education, peer support and shared experiences means that people from outside the United States can still benefit from being part of the community.

Members can share practical advice, offer encouragement and simply connect with people who understand what it can be like to live with mesothelioma or care for someone who has it.

A community built around respect and privacy

Because conversations about cancer can be deeply personal, the group has clear guidelines designed to keep it a safe and supportive environment.

Members are asked to be kind, respectful and supportive of one another and to respect the privacy of everyone in the community. Bullying, discrimination and personal attacks are not permitted.

Spam, fundraising and self-promotion are also restricted unless approved by the administrators. Medical misinformation will be removed or clearly identified to help maintain the group as a trusted source of information.

The group is intended to be a community where patients and families can ask questions without fear of judgement and share their experiences with others who understand.

Educational support, not a replacement for medical care

An important part of the group’s purpose is helping people find reliable information, but the information shared within the community is intended for educational and supportive purposes only.

It should not replace advice from a patient’s own healthcare team. Treatment decisions and other medical decisions should always be discussed with the doctors and specialists responsible for that person’s care.

For anyone facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, having access to both a specialist perspective and a community of people who understand the experience can be valuable.

No one should have to face mesothelioma alone

Mesothelioma can affect far more than the person receiving the diagnosis. It can change family life, create uncertainty about the future and leave caregivers with questions of their own.

The new Mesothelioma Nurse Consultation and Support Facebook group is designed to provide a place where those affected can find information, encouragement and connection.