100 Questions & Answers About Cancer Symptoms and Cancer Treatment Side Effects

by Joanne Frankel Kelvin, Leslie Tyson, Leslie B. Tyson

Overview

When you're diagnosed with cancer, you may fear the symptoms and treatment side effects as much as the disease itself. A diagnosis of cancer is a challenge, of course, and educating yourself about its symptoms and treatment side-effects is essential to coping with the disease. Whether you're a newly diagnosed cancer patient, a long-term survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. Written by experienced oncology nurses with commentary from cancer patients, 100 Questions & Answers About Cancer Symptoms and Cancer Treatment Side Effects gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about what to expect from cancer and its treatment, how to maximize your quality of life, where to find sources of support, and much more. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of the effects of cancer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763726126
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	01/28/2004
Series:	100 Questions & Answers about
Edition description:	1E
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.51(d)

Table of Contents

	Foreword	vii
Part 1.	Cancer and Cancer Treatment	1
	What is cancer?
	Why does cancer cause symptoms?
	What are the treatments for cancer?
Part 2.	Getting Information and Making Decisions	27
	How can I be sure to get the information I want from my doctor?
	How can I find a clinical trial that might be appropriate for me?
	How can I find out about complementary or alternative therapies?
Part 3.	Comfort, Activity, and Sleep	45
	Will I have pain? What are the options available to treat my pain?
	What can I do about the side effects I get from my pain medication?
	I feel tired much of the time. What can I do to increase my energy?
	I have difficulty sleeping at night. What can I do to sleep better and feel more rested?
Part 4.	Blood Counts and Skin Problems	67
	I have heard that chemotherapy may cause my blood counts to drop. What does this mean?
	I have heard that radiation therapy causes a skin reaction. Is this true? How should I care for my skin during radiation therapy?
	I have heard that chemotherapy may cause me to lose my hair. Can I prevent this? What can I do to feel good about my appearance if I lose my hair?
Part 5.	Problems with Breathing, Nutrition, Digestion, and Urination	85
	I feel short of breath. What can I do to ease my breathing?
	What can I do to increase my appetite and maintain my weight?
	I have heard that radiation therapy or chemotherapy may cause nausea and vomiting. What can I do to manage these symptoms?
	What can I do to manage constipation?
	What can I do for incontinence?
Part 6.	Appearance and Sexual Issues	119
	I have gained weight from my cancer treatment. What can I do to lose weight?
	I have developed menopause from my treatment. How can I manage the symptoms?
	I am not able to get or maintain an erection since my treatment. How can this be treated?
Part 7.	Neurologic Problems, Fluid Retention, and Blood Chemistry	139
	What is peripheral neuropathy and how is this managed?
	What is cerebral edema? How is this managed?
	Why are my legs swollen? What can I do to minimize this?
	What is a pleural effusion? How is this treated?
	I have heard that some people can get diabetes from their treatment. How is this diagnosed and treated?
Part 8.	Other Health-Related Issues	165
	I get a flu shot every year. Should I get one now that I am getting treated for cancer?
	Is it safe for me to be around children who have recently received a vaccine?
	Should I follow up with my regular doctors while I am getting treated for cancer?
Part 9.	Emotional and Social Concerns	175
	How can I better cope with having cancer?
	I have completed treatment and my doctor tells me there is no evidence of cancer. How do I go on with my life and start feeling "normal" again?
	How can I talk with family and friends about my cancer?
	Where can I get more information about cancer symptoms and side effects of treatment?
	Appendix	205
	Glossary	209
	Index	217

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Melody L. McKinney, DNS, RN (Indiana State University)
Description: Written from the perspective of experienced oncology nurses along with commentary from cancer patients, this valuable little resource provides both authoritative and practical answers concerning cancer treatment options, post-treatment concerns, quality of life, and resources for managing the physical and emotional consequences of this potentially overwhelming disease.
Purpose: According to the authors, the book is designed to maximize quality of life in cancer patients and their significant others by answering many of their questions and concerns, and in doing so, to help allay some of their fears and encourage active participation in managing the illness, treatment, and care.
Audience: The targeted audience is newly diagnosed cancer patients, long-term survivors, families, and friends.
Features: Written in a "100-questions and Answers" format, the book is divided into nine parts: part one describes cancer and its common treatments; part two discusses strategies for informed treatment decision-making; part three presents options for improving comfort and quality of life during treatment; part four addresses common concerns such as low blood counts, preventing infections, and skin care; part five outlines ways to manage treatment effects on breathing, nutrition, digestion, and elimination; part six addresses changes in personal appearance and sexual health; part seven describes peripheral neuropathy, fluid excesses, and peripheral vascular problems; part eight covers routine health concerns not directly related to cancer; and part nine addresses the emotional and social impact of cancer on the patient, caregiver, and others. Additional features include an appendix of resources, glossary of terms, and comprehensive index.
Assessment: This well-indexed, practical little book can be read straight through or used as a reference when problems arise. Based on the professional expertise of oncology nurses, along with the practical wisdom of cancer patients, a broad range of cancer-related questions and concerns are addressed. The specific content areas are pertinent, easy to comprehend, and covered in sufficient depth to be useful to cancer patients, their families, and friends. Additional resources are suggested for more in-depth information. The book should enhance the patient and family's quality of life by increasing their confidence in discussing the illness and treatment options and by assisting with the management of treatment-related challenges.

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3 Stars from Doody