Cancer in Context: A Practical Guide to Supportive Care - Softcover

Brennan, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198515251 ISBN 13: 9780198515258

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2004

Synopsis

This book offers healthcare professionals, academics and anyone affected by cancer a fresh and original approach to the supportive care of people with cancer. It looks at some of the underlying reasons why cancer often leads to high levels of distress. More importantly, it suggests many practical ways distress can be prevented and minimised. The book combines the actual experiences of cancer patients, as recorded in their personal diaries, with theory, research and practical clinical advice.
In each of its seven chapters the book takes a different perspective and a different approach to supportive care in cancer. Chapter 1 considers how people generally manage and adjust to change in their lives and in particular how they react to the threat of cancer. Chapter 2 examines the 'lived experience' of people with cancer as they negotiate the many challenges and changes following their diagnosis. Chapter 3 looks at the impact of cancer on the families, partners and carers of people with cancer. Chapter 4 shows that the social and cultural context of someone's life is critical to an understanding of their resources and responses to serious illness. Chapter 5 considers how professionals can help minimise disruption to their patients quality of life as they endure the notorious demands of oncology treatments. It looks at popular cancer treatments, common treatment difficulties, cancer rehabilitation and palliative care. Chapter 6 provides a summary of the burgeoning area of communication skills within healthcare and, finally, Chapter 7 ponders how professionals can maintain adequate care in light of the evidence of high levels of stress and burnout among cancer staff.

About this title

About the Author

James Brennan is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, and Senior Lecturer in Palliative Medicine, University of Bristol, UK. Clare Moynihan is a Senior Research Fellow and Research Associate, Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital Foundation Trust, London, UK.

Review

"It is all too rare to find sensitivity and knowledge in perfect balance among the medicos; with the joy of discovery, therefore, I read Dr Brennan's book, Cancer in Context, and with genuine enthusiasm I can recommend it to anyone - professional or layperson - caring for or about a cancer patient."--Irma Kurtz, Writer, Journalist and Broadcaster

"Cancer in Context: A Practical Guide to Supportive Care, is a sensible, humane, and sophisticated examination of the challenges facing patients, their families, and those who care for them. The deep understanding conveyed by this book will lead to more compassionate and effective care."--David Spiegel, M.D., Willson Professor in the School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA

"This is a reflective, informed and empathic book which illustrates, with the use of personal diaries, the many perspectives that interact and influence the meanings people ascribe to their cancer."--Psycho-Oncology

"...the nearest one can get to actually experiencing living with cancer...it is written in an empathic and flowing style, which helps draw the reader along. Each of the seven chapters deals with a different aspect of supportive care in cancer, and includes a discussion on families and carers."--Psychology and Health

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0198515251
• ISBN 13: 9780198515258
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 450