Cancer in Context

Psycho-social oncology has made significant progress in understanding the impact of cancer and its treatment on people's lives. This book underlines the fact that supportive care is an integral part of the treatment of cancer. Cancer in Context explores the underlying reasons why cancer so often leads to high levels of distress and, more importantly, suggests many practical ways distress can be minimised and prevented. The actual experiences of cancer patients, as recorded in their personal diaries, are combined with theory, research evidence and realistic clinical advice. Topics include the personal challenge of cancer, the needs of families, partners and carers, the social context of cancer, common treatment difficulties, communication challenges, and staff stress and burnout. This book is designed to be a practical guide for professionals caring for adult cancer patients but will also be useful for clinical researchers and lay public.