Psychosocial Aspects of Chemotherapy in Cancer Care

Leading medical professionals--physicians, nurses, social workers--who treat cancer patients receiving chemotherapy address vital areas of concern: physician/patient relationships, the psychosocial issues of being a patient, the pediatric patient, and new frontiers. Valuable and readable for health professionals and cancer patients and their families, this book deals honestly with the relevant, often painful subjects inherent in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer with chemotherapy. Contributing authors emphasize the importance of establishing a positive, trusting relationship between patient and doctor and patient's family and of treating the psychologican and social aspects of patients, as well as the medical problems. The eleven patients'rights described in one chapter should be available to all cancer patients and their families who are faced with the decision of choosing chemotherapy as the course of treatment. The problems particular to treating pediatric patients are examined, along with sound advice for school personnel in dealing with cancer patients in the classroom.