Psychological Aspects of Cancer [electronic resource] / edited by Brian I. Carr, JENNIFER STEEL.

    Psychoneuroimmunology and Cancer: Incidence, progression, and quality of life.- Inflammation, Chronic Disease and Cancer: Is Psychological Distress the Common Thread -- Psychological aspects of hereditary cancer and risk counseling and genetic testing.- Mastectomy to Prevent Breast Cancer: Psychosocial Aspects of Women’s Decision Making.- Decision Aids in Advanced Cancer -- Cancer Fatalism: Attitudes Toward Screening and Care -- Positive Psychology Perspectives across the Cancer Continuum: Meaning, Spirituality, and Growth.- Stress, Coping, and Hope.-Religiousness and Spirituality in Coping with Cancer.- Controversies in Psycho-Oncology.-      Psychosocial Interventions for Couples Coping With Cancer:  A Systematic Review.- The impact of cancer and its therapies on body image and sexuality.- Cancer Caregivership.- Psychosocial Interventions in Cancer.- Quality of Life.- Exercise for Cancer Patients: Treatment of Side Effects and Quality of Life.- Use of the Classic Hallucinogen Psilocybin for Treatment of Existential Distress Associated with Cancer.- The placebo and nocebo effect in cancer treatment.-       Psychological Factors and Survivorship:  A Focus on Post-Treatment Cancer Survivors.- Complementary Mind-Body Therapies in Cancer -- End-of-Life Communication in Cancer Care.- The intersection between cancer and caregiver survivorship.- Resources for Cancer Patients.-      Bringing It All Together.   End-of-Life Communication in Cancer Care.- The intersection between cancer and caregiver survivorship.- Resources for Cancer Patients.-      Bringing It All Together.  .

Psychological Aspects of Cancer opens with two essays on the biological basis of emotion/mental-driven body processes and disease. The consequence of such considerations is that since thoughts and emotions can be modulated and changed by health care professionals, psychological counseling should be seen not only as a way to help patients cope, but also to influence the disease itself.  A unique overview of a key area of cancer care, this important title then proceeds to offer a section on genetic predispositions to cancer and the psychological considerations involved in screening and pre-emptive therapies and decision-making in cancer therapy.  A third section deals with the philosophical and religious underpinnings of psychological factors involved in coping with disease state stressors and the roles of hope in coping. The fourth section is an acknowledgement that patients with cancer live in a social context, which often includes a partner and/or caregiver. The fifth section includes several essays on aspects and modalities of care-giving that are designed to help patients coping with their cancer and its aftermath, which increasingly extends for years. An important title covering key aspects of one of the most troubling disorders of our time, Psychological Aspects of Cancer will  provide the busy practitioner with cutting edge knowledge as well as practical information that can translate into better care for patients with cancer.  .