Luigi Grassi, M.D. is Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Chair of the Department of Biomedical & Specialty Surgical Sciences at the University of Ferrara, Italy. He is also Director of the Unit of Clinical and Emergency Psychiatry, Integrated Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse, in Ferrara, Italy. Dr Grassi is Past President of the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) (2006-2008) and of the Italian Society of Psycho-Oncology (SIPO) (2003-2011) and currently Chair of the IPOS Federation of Psycho-Oncology Societies (since 2008).
 
Michelle Riba, M.D.is Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Chair for Integrated Medicine and Psychiatric Services at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan. She is also Associate Director, Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) and Director, PsychOncology Program, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as Associate Director, University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center. Dr Riba is Past President of the American Psychiatric Association and currently Secretary for Scientific Publications, World Psychiatric Association.

List of Contributors, vii
 
Foreword, xi
 
Acknowledgements, xiii
 
Part 1 Clinical Issues
 
1 Introducing Multicultural Psycho-oncology, 3
Luigi Grassi and Michelle Riba
 
2 Communication in Cancer Care: A Cultural Perspective, 11
Phyllis Butow and Walter F. Baile
 
3 Psychosocial Assessment and Screening in Psycho-oncology, 21
Paul B. Jacobsen and Kristine A. Donovan
 
4 Sexuality and Gender: Psychosocial Implications in Cancer Patients: A Multicultural Perspective, 39
Anna Costantini, Chiara M. Navarra, Kimlin Tam Ashing-Giwa and Sophia Yeung
 
5 Psychosocial and Psychiatric Disorders, 55
Santosh K. Chaturvedi and Yosuke Uchitomi
 
6 Neurocognitive Effects of Anticancer Treatments, 71
Tim Ahles, Sanne Schagen and Janette Vardy
 
7 Screening for Distress, the 6th Vital Sign, as the Connective Tissue of Health Care Systems: A Roadmap to Integrated Interdisciplinary Person-centred Care, 83
Barry D. Bultz, Matthew J. Loscalzo and Karen L. Clark
 
8 Psychological Intervention, 97
Maggie Watson
 
9 Psychopharmacological Interventions, 109
Seema M. Thekdi, Marya Elisa Irarrazaval and Laura B. Dunn
 
10 Rehabilitation, 127
Anja Mehnert and Uwe Koch
 
Part 2 Special Populations
 
11 Pediatric Psycho-oncology, 139
Margaret L. Stuber and Elizabeth M. Strom
 
12 A Life-stage Approach to Psycho-oncology, 155
Peter Fitzgerald, Rinat Nissim and Gary Rodin
 
13 Psycho-oncology in Underserved and Minority Populations, 165
Richard Fielding and Wendy W.T. Lam
 
Part 3 Other Topics
 
14 Exploration of Family Care: A Multicultural Approach, 187
Lea Baider and Gil Goldzweig
 
15 Bioethical Challenges: Understanding Cultural Differences and Reducing Health Disparities, 199
Antonella Surbone
 
16 Post-traumatic Growth in Cancer Patients Across Cultures, 211
Michael Diaz, Matthew Cordova and David Spiegel
 
17 The Need for Psychosocial Support in Genetic Counselling and Genetic Testing, 223
Mary Jane Esplen, Jonathan Hunter and Kathryn M. Kash
 
18 Psychosocial and Physical Health in Post-treatment and Extended Cancer Survivorship, 237
Patricia A. Ganz and Annette L. Stanton
 
19 End-of-life Care, 249
William Breitbart, Harvey Max Chochinov and Yesne Alici
 
20 Grief and Bereavement, 271
Sue Morris and Susan Block
 
21 Spiritual and Religious Coping with Cancer, 281
David W. Kissane, Carrie E. Lethborg and Brian Kelly
 
22 Psycho-oncology and Advocacy in Cancer Care: An International Perspective, 297
Luzia Travado, Jan Geissler, Kim Thiboldeaux, Jeff Dunn, Ranjit Kaur and Anne Merriman
 
Index, 311

The level of psychological distress and the ability to adjust to a diagnosis of cancer are highly variable. Medical factors, psychological factors prior to diagnosis and social factors account for this variability. By understanding these variables, the clinician can better assess and manage the distress caused by the diagnosis and provide the most appropriate medical treatment or psychological intervention. This practical handbook will address the principal behavioural and psychological problems associated with cancer. Where appropriate, it adopts a broader, multicultural perspective, in line with the aim of the World Psychiatric Association and the Federation of Psycho-Oncology societies.
 
The main aims of the book are:
* to present the significant and challenging clinical problems encountered when caring for cancer patients and their families, including assessment, diagnosis and treatment
* to describe the best responses to these challenges, summarizing the evidence base and digesting clinical experience where evidence from clinical trials is lacking
* to discuss the emerging themes in psycho-oncology, such as genetic counselling, bioethics, cultural issues and cultural diversity
* to provide practical suggestions for dealing with special populations, such as children, the elderly, long-term survivors or mentally ill patients.
 
The book is designed to be easy to read and to reference, with information clearly displayed in concise tables and boxes accompanied by further detail within the text.
 
Chapters feature
* clinical vignettes, including management algorithms
* Key Points
* Suggested further reading
 
The editors aim to provide an indispensable tool for junior doctors in training in either psychiatry, psychology or oncology, general practitioners, community psychiatric nurses, palliative care physicians and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
 
With a Foreword by the pioneer in psycho-oncology, Professor Jimmie Holland.