Peer Support Programs for Cancer

Connect with other cancer patients who've had similar diagnoses, treatments and experiences.


UCSF Health offers peer support programs for patients receiving cancer care and patients receiving brain tumor care.

PeerTalk: Peer support for patients with cancer

UCSF PeerTalk connects interested patients with volunteer peer mentors – fellow patients who've been through cancer care at UCSF Health and understand what new patients are going through. Peer mentors share their experiences, provide information and offer confidential support to meet emotional as well as practical needs. They don't, however, give medical advice.

PeerTalk is offered through the Ida & Joseph Friend Patient and Family Cancer Support Center.

Talk to someone who's been there

When you sign up for PeerTalk, we'll match you with a mentor who had the same diagnosis, went through the same type of treatment, or has similar life circumstances – such as having young children at home or sharing an interest in integrative care. You don't need to be a UCSF Health patient to be matched with a peer mentor. Everyone is welcome. There's no cost to participate. Mentors and patients connect virtually through our dedicated platform or over Zoom.

Become a peer mentor

Now that you've been there, you can help someone else by joining our community of peer mentors. Volunteering as a peer mentor is a rewarding way of giving back.
Peer mentors support patients by sharing their experience, providing a listening ear, and offering information about UCSF Health programs and resources.

To become a peer mentor, you need to:

  • Have been treated at UCSF Health for cancer care
  • Be six or more months past your diagnosis
  • Attend a two-hour peer mentor training via Zoom

Sign up for PeerTalk

Peer support for brain tumor patients and caregivers

UCSF Health also offers peer support programs specifically for patients with brain tumors and their caregivers. 

Neuro-Oncology Survivors' Peer Support Program for Patients

Our trained volunteers – all brain cancer survivors – are available to connect by phone to listen to your concerns, share their experiences and provide confidential emotional and informational support. We match you with a peer mentor who had the same type of brain tumor and, when possible, according to what you say is important to you – such as age, gender or life circumstances.

Neuro-Oncology Caregiver Connection Program

A brain tumor diagnosis impacts the patient's family and other loved ones. This program connects you with spouses and family members who know what it's like to care for a patient undergoing care for a brain tumor and who can share resources and coping strategies. When possible, we try to match you with a caregiver by tumor type, treatment, age and family situation so that you can talk to someone who best understands the particular issues you’re facing.