Fulfilling Hope : Supporting the Needs of Patients with Advanced Cancers

Though more and more individuals diagnosed with cancer become survivors, there still remains hundreds of thousands forced to succumb to their disease. How oncology specialists communicate bad news, discuss treatment options, and interact throughout the cancer journey greatly influences the expectations patients and their loved ones have regarding the goals and outcomes of treatment. There is limited residency education or nursing education about how to communicate effectively with patients who we know will be facing end of life rather than survival. Research studies have validated that more than 40% of patients with metastatic disease believe that their chemotherapy treatments they are receiving just weeks before they die were for the purpose of curing them of their cancers. Hospice remains an under-utilised service due to the uncomfortable feelings it causes when discussing alternative options to treatment rather than continuing toxic drug therapy. On average, patients do not get referred until too ill to receive any more chemotherapy treatments. This is a time to be truly providing the patient and family patient centred care, factoring in their life goals, their hopes for themselves that transition over time, their hopes for their family without them, and how we can innovatively help them reach these important goals even after they have died, by identifying or serving as a "Hope Fulfiller".

"Lillie has written a textbook that every health care professional who sees patients with cancer should have on a "must read" list. This book provides one with a comprehensive curriculum, strategies, and tactics for those who need to provide, care, counsel, and communicate with some of the difficult messages one has to give to cancer patients.  Like Lillie herself, you will want the gems of information in this book to be at your side to refer to as you care for people with cancer."

 

Ellen Stovall

43 year cancer survivor

Senior Health Policy Advisory

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

"I hope that..." often is heard from metastatic cancer patients, but patient hopes are rarely broached by oncology providers with those who receive a terminal cancer diagnosis.This book challenges oncologists to understand and practice a pivotal role with each patient while being realistic about the patient's prognosis and helping to fulfill each patient's hopes. Describing research about hope and sharing poignant patient case studies, the author has written a seminal book that should be required reading for all oncologists. 

Shirley Mertz, President, Metastatic Breast Cancer Network