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


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