The Road Back to Health: Coping with the Emotional Aspects of Cancer

Discusses how to face the fear of cancer diagnosis, become an active patient, build emotional support systems, maintain a positive attitude, and more

Originally published by Bantam in 1984, this is a welcome re-addition to the health-care field and should attract a whole new audience. Fiore, a psychologist, was himself diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1974. As such, he has unique insight into the questions, fears, and issues confronting the cancer patient. (Only a former cancer patient, for example, would provide such a comprehensive chapter on preparing for and receiving the initial diagnosis.) Once the diagnosis is made, Fiore encourages cancer patients to take an active approach. In clear, reassuring, and jargon-free prose, he shows readers how to become informed about their illness, participate in therapy decisions, establish team relationships with doctors and therapists, practice positive imaging, and share feelings with family and friends. Fiore doesn't sugar-coat his message. There's a chapter on coping with terminal illness and, since cancer is a difficult adversary even for patients who make a complete recovery, his chapters on combating depression, helplessness, and stress are especially valuable. Appendixes include a list of cancer information and support groups, a bill of rights for patients, and a bibliography. This is a valuable book for cancer patients, their families, and friends. -- From Independent Publisher