When the Focus is On Care: Pallative Care and Cancer

by Kathleen M. Foley, Eduardo D. Bruera, Bonnie Teschendorf

How to live well with cancer--from diagnosis to its final stages The goal of palliative care is to help you and your family experience the best quality of life possible throughout the course of your disease by controlling pain and symptoms, relieving suffering, and enabling you to live your life as normal as possible. When the Focus Is on Palliative Care and Cancer explains how you can benefit from palliative care. Written in a sensitive and conversational fashion, this book addresses your questions about progressive illness, making informed decisions and getting good medical care, accessing supportive care resources, and managing symptoms and side effects. It discusses coping strategies, performing a life review and leaving a legacy, talking to loved ones about cancer and dying, and coming to terms with your mortality. This book provides the information, support, and tools you need to cope and live well with cancer, even when the disease is not responsive to treatment.

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently became a full time caregiver for a family member with stage 4 cancer. I picked up several books to learn how best to help her and found this one the best of the bunch. The earliest chapters address the cancer patient directly. There is a section near the back specifically for caregivers. I recommend both of you read the entire thing. It covers what to expect, what rights you have, where to find help, and much more. Just knowing this information can help you avoid making mistakes and be more confident in handling the stresses. I highly recommend this book.

[Deena Scintilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for the lay person as it covers various treatments and care in an easy to understand manner including end-of-life decisions.