Cancer and emotion - J Barraclough

Emotional aspects of cancer affect patients, their partners and families, and the staff providing care. Most of those involved experience emotional distress. Some develop severe anxiety, depression or other psychiatric syndromes. Whether emotional factors influence the medical prognosis of cancer remains uncertain, but there is no doubt that emotional aspects of this disease are central to patients quality of life. Many of the common problems can be prevented or treated effectively, provided their importance is recognised. Cancer and Emotion is a descriptive introduction to adult psycho-oncology. Primarily written for healthcare professionals in oncology, palliative care, general practice and mental health, it will also appeal to interested lay readers including patients. This third edition has been updated throughout, with expanded coverage of some topical issues, including psychological aspects of cancer pain, holistic approaches to cancer and organisation of a psycho-oncology service. The book also contains numerous personal accounts written by patients themselves.