Increasing efficacy of biomedical treatments for cancer means that more and more people are living longer with the disease. The five-year relative survival rate for all cancers has increased considerably in the last three decades, with some survivors living for many years and thus facing increasingly complex psychosocial issues. As a result, the mental health subspecialty of psycho-oncology is growing and is responding to the many calls for increased availability of psychological services for cancer patients. Psychosocial Care of the Adult Cancer Patient introduces psychologists and other mental health professionals to the field of psycho-oncology, educates them about evidence-based interventions for individuals, groups, couples, and families, and describes how to successfully collaborate with oncologists and other cancer care professionals. Introductory in nature and providing ready access to a range of evidence-based interventions, this book briefs the reader on the field of psycho-oncology and the basics of cancer, explains screening and assessment for psychosocial distress, details the principles of evidence-based interventions, and concludes with case examples that illustrate the evidence-based practice competencies-ask, access, appraise, translate, integrate, and evaluate. In a unique writing style, the case examples reveal the decision-making process of an experienced clinician doing evidence-based practice. Practical strategies for addressing the psychological needs of cancer patients and their families are offered in an easy-to-use, quick reference format. Key points are highlighted and enhanced through the use of tables and figures designed to summarize and emphasize important information. This book will be of value to clinical and counseling psychologists and other mental health professionals, as well as graduate students in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, oncology nursing, and other cancer care professions.

The development of this inaugural Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People With Cancer provides a repository of the scope of oncology social workers' clinical practice, education, research, policy and program leadership in the psychosocial care of people with cancer and their families. It focuses on the unique synergy of social work perspectives, values, knowledge, and skills with the psychosocial needs of cancer patients, their families, and the health care systems in which they are treated. It addresses both the science and art of psychosocial care and identifies the increasing specialization of oncology social work related to its unique knowledge base, skills, role, and the progressive complexity of psychosocial challenges for patients with cancer. This Handbook equips the reader with all that we know today in oncology social work about patient and family centered care, distress screening, genetics, survivorship, care coordination, sociocultural and economic diversity, legal and ethical matters, clinical work with adults living with cancer, cancer across the lifespan, their caregivers and families, pediatrics, loss and grief, professional career development, leadership, and innovation. Our hope is that in reading this Handbook you will identify new areas where each of you can leave your mark as innovators and change agents in our evolving field of practice.

This book was "developed out of a desire to support and guide health professionals in providing compassionate, high-level psychosocial care to all those affected by cancer. While this book focuses on the psychosocial care of adults, some content is appropriate to the care of parents, carers and loved ones of cancer patients and survivors." - product description.

Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients. Psychological and social problems created or exacerbated by cancer-including depression and other emotional problems; lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness; lack of transportation or other resources; and disruptions in work, school, and family life-cause additional suffering, weaken adherence to prescribed treatments, and threaten patients' return to health. Today, it is not possible to deliver high-quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients' psychosocial health needs. All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient recommends actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers, health planners, researchers and research sponsors, and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.

Oncology and Palliative Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People Coping with Cancer illustrates the need for integrating early palliative care for patients with cancer and the important role social workers have in providing psychosocial support services across the cancer trajectory. There is a convergence of oncology and palliative social work specialties in the delivery of comprehensive, culturally-congruent, whole person cancer care. OPSW reflects the collective knowledge, skills, clinical experience and perspectives of a diverse group of interprofessional contributors, including best practices, emerging trends, and priorities in psychosocial oncology, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this evolving landscape. The volume is divided into four sections, each with five to eight thematically connected chapters. Topics include: diagnosing and treating cancer; equity, racism, cultural competence, and cultural humility; social determinants of health; cancer care amid pandemics, disasters and other traumatic events; survivorship, integrative programs, lifestyle and rehabilitation; innovative models in palliative care in oncology; the future direction of psychosocial oncology and palliative care, including research; psychosocial aspects of cancer; pain, symptom, and side effect management; a novel collaborative care model for people living with serious mental illness; interprofessional spiritual care; informal cancer caregivers; palliative and hospice care at the end of life; loss, grief, and bereavement; underrepresented, underserved, and vulnerable populations; ethical and legal issues; professional development and sustainability; credentialing, certification, and continuing education; technology; social work leadership skills; interprofessional practice; international oncology and palliative social work; and, strategies for guiding best practices for the future.

This summary provides an overview of the key emotional issues to consider when treating patients with cancer. It includes practical recommendations about specific interventions to promote adjustment, and detect and treat emotional disorders.

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.