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Empowering Breast Cancer Survivors Through Community

Writer's picture: Surviving Breast CancerSurviving Breast Cancer


Humans are social beings. Early humans depended on the community for survival. Living in clans enabled them to share food, care for infants, and build social networks to meet the daily challenges of their environments. We’re not so different today. We forge social connections and embrace communities to learn new things, share our experiences, and gain or give support.


Hardwired to Connect


Extensive neuroscience research shows that humans are hardwired to connect with others. We find solace when we belong. Scientific evidence even demonstrates that mirror neurons in our brains are stimulated when we interact, making pathways in our brain light up to mirror the emotions and behaviors the other person is conveying when talking with someone.


The Importance of Human Connection


Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” theory, published in 1943, argued that a person couldn’t reach fulfillment without love and belonging and that it followed closely behind basic needs, such as food and shelter. At the time, there was little scientific evidence to support his theory. However, emerging research gives his theory credibility and takes it a step further, suggesting that the human need to connect socially is a basic human need—as crucial to survival as food, shelter, and water.


Even without scientific proof that humans need to be connected, the way we live our lives clarifies that humans desire a sense of community. We thrive in groups; whether belonging to a social group, a religious group, Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts, a fitness group, we find solace by belonging.


In every culture, women have fostered and nurtured communities. From sewing circles to book clubs, sororities to professional associations, running clubs, to quilting clubs, women have historically understood the power of community.


While some people are quick to point out the downside of modern technology, the other side of the coin is that it can alleviate isolation for those who are unable for various reasons to connect in person. The pandemic made that fact clear. Social platforms such as Facebook provide people with a way to connect with like-minded people based on interests, and you can find a MeetUp online for just about any interest.


The Link Between Community and Health

It doesn’t just feel good to be part of a group; being connected has proven tangible health benefits. Just how powerful is a person’s social connection to health? One landmark study showed that