Cancer in Context: A Practical Guide To Supportive Care (Oxford Medical Publications) - Softcover

Brennan, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198515251 ISBN 13: 9780198515258

Publisher: Oxford University Press, Usa, 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

Review

I feel the book comprises a very comprehensive overview of supportive care, presented in a clear way and accessible form. It is a book that anyone involved in the care of cancer patients should find relevant and informative and may well want on their own bookshelves in addition to their organisation's library. (Hospice Information Bulletin)

...focuses on the experiences of people who have been diagnosed with cancer. One of the great strengths of this book is that these experiences are explained as a normal reaction. I highly recommend this book. It is useful for all those who care for patients with cancer, specialist and nonspecialist alike. It is comprehensive in its breadth and is well written. It has practical suggestions of improving practice and has an extensive bibliography for those interested to read further. (Dr Julian Abel, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Weston General Hospital, Weston-super-Mare)

As one who works in both medical oncology and palliative care, the type of care outlined in this book is long overdue and, if it can be successfully introduced into busy oncology services, will be a quantum improvement in the care out patients receive. (IAHPC Website)

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)

Edition details

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