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.

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 readingThe 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.

List of Contributors, viiForeword, xiAcknowledgements, xiiiPart 1 Clinical Issues1 Introducing Multicultural Psycho-oncology, 3Luigi Grassi and Michelle Riba2 Communication in Cancer Care: A Cultural Perspective, 11Phyllis Butow and Walter F. Baile3 Psychosocial Assessment and Screening in Psycho-oncology, 21Paul B. Jacobsen and Kristine A. Donovan4 Sexuality and Gender: Psychosocial Implications in Cancer Patients: A Multicultural Perspective, 39Anna Costantini, Chiara M. Navarra, Kimlin Tam Ashing-Giwa and Sophia Yeung5 Psychosocial and Psychiatric Disorders, 55Santosh K. Chaturvedi and Yosuke Uchitomi6 Neurocognitive Effects of Anticancer Treatments, 71Tim Ahles, Sanne Schagen and Janette Vardy7 Screening for Distress, the 6th Vital Sign, as the Connective Tissue of Health Care Systems: A Roadmap to Integrated Interdisciplinary Person-centred Care, 83Barry D. Bultz, Matthew J. Loscalzo and Karen L. Clark8 Psychological Intervention, 97Maggie Watson9 Psychopharmacological Interventions, 109Seema M. Thekdi, Marya Elisa Irarrazaval and Laura B. Dunn10 Rehabilitation, 127Anja Mehnert and Uwe KochPart 2 Special Populations11 Pediatric Psycho-oncology, 139Margaret L. Stuber and Elizabeth M. Strom12 A Life-stage Approach to Psycho-oncology, 155Peter Fitzgerald, Rinat Nissim and Gary Rodin13 Psycho-oncology in Underserved and Minority Populations, 165Richard Fielding and Wendy W.T. LamPart 3 Other Topics14 Exploration of Family Care: A Multicultural Approach, 187Lea Baider and Gil Goldzweig15 Bioethical Challenges: Understanding Cultural Differences and Reducing Health Disparities, 199Antonella Surbone16 Post-traumatic Growth in Cancer Patients Across Cultures, 211Michael Diaz, Matthew Cordova and David Spiegel17 The Need for Psychosocial Support in Genetic Counselling and Genetic Testing, 223Mary Jane Esplen, Jonathan Hunter and Kathryn M. Kash18 Psychosocial and Physical Health in Post-treatment and Extended Cancer Survivorship, 237Patricia A. Ganz and Annette L. Stanton19 End-of-life Care, 249William Breitbart, Harvey Max Chochinov and Yesne Alici20 Grief and Bereavement, 271Sue Morris and Susan Block21 Spiritual and Religious Coping with Cancer, 281David W. Kissane, Carrie E. Lethborg and Brian Kelly22 Psycho-oncology and Advocacy in Cancer Care: An International Perspective, 297Luzia Travado, Jan Geissler, Kim Thiboldeaux, Jeff Dunn, Ranjit Kaur and Anne MerrimanIndex, 311