A Breast Cancer Guide For Spouses, Partners, Family, and Friends: Using Psychology to Support Those We Care About

This practical, science-based book focuses on helping partners, family, and friends understand breast cancer. It guides them in how to provide the best emotional and practical support when helping someone with breast cancer to cope, recover, and thrive, while maintaining their own physical and psychological health.

The authors translate psychological evidence into concrete, practical advice for caregivers, validated through their first-hand experience. It also suggests ways to help someone with breast cancer make the best decisions in consultation with oncology professionals. The authors draw on well-established psychological principles relevant to social attitudes, how decisions are made, good communication skills, empathy, and how to better understand the ideas and worries experienced by women who have, or may have, breast cancer and those close to them. Each chapter includes ‘How you can Help’ sections that give specific and concrete suggestions, as well as a chapter summary of the main points along with recommendations and additional resources.

It is essential reading for all those who want to help and support a loved one with breast cancer. It is also useful for training healthcare professionals in how to support partners.

Stephen N. Haynes obtained his PhD at the University of Colorado, USA and is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, USA. Dr. Haynes has published widely in the areas of psychological assessment and psychopathology. His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and she had experienced two 3D mammograms, a biopsy, 3 lumpectomies, a mastectomy, months of chemotherapy, weeks of radiation therapy, and many treatment side effects.

Luanna H. Meyer was professor of education in the USA at the Universities of Hawai‘i and Minnesota, Syracuse University, and in New Zealand at Massey University and Victoria University, where she is Professor Emerita. She has published widely. Her treatment for triple-negative breast cancer included chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, and breast reconstruction.

Ian M. Evans obtained his PhD at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. He has taught clinical psychology in USA at universities in Hawai‘i, and Binghamton, and Waikato and Massey in New Zealand. His work includes emotional development of children and the practice of behavioral psychotherapy. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of New Zealand.