Radiation Oncology: Psychiatry / Psychology

Cancer: How Lifestyles May Impact Disease Development, Progression, and Treatment by Hymie Anisman; Alexander W. Kusnecov, 2022 Cancer: How Lifestyles May Impact Disease Development, Progression, and Treatment explores different processes that influence the efficacy of treatments and what lifestyle and behavioral modification options are available to patients to improve therapy responses, with a focus on addressing their strengths and weaknesses. The book discusses mechanisms by which particular lifestyles may affect cancer processes, including various aspects of immune functioning, inflammatory and energy-related processes, reactive oxygen species, hormonal and neurotransmitter mechanisms, the role of neurotrophins, and microbial effects. Considerable attention is devoted to the impact of psychosocial processes that indirectly affect disease occurrence, and to behavioral change methods.

Comprehensive Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer, 4th ed. by Janet L. Abrahm; Bethany-Rose Daubman; Molly Collins, 2022 Leading palliative care experts illustrate how you can improve both communication with cancer patients and their quality of life. For more than twenty years, this guide has been the go-to resource for busy practicing oncology and palliative care clinicians. This fourth edition, now titled Comprehensive Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer, provides physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and patients and their families with detailed information and advice for alleviating the suffering of cancer patients and their loved ones. Drawing on the work of experts who have developed revolutionary approaches to symptom management and palliative care, as well as on lessons learned during her decades as a teacher and clinician, Dr. Janet L. Abrahm and her coauthors illustrate how to help patients and families understand their prognosis, communicate their care preferences, and minimize their distress. This edition reflects important updates in the field while addressing the informational needs of a broader market of health care providers, including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, bereavement counselors, and chaplains. This new edition features three new chapters--"Spiritual Care in Palliative Care," "Psychological Considerations," and "Bereavement"--as well as specific guidelines about * advance care planning at all phases of cancer * understanding complex family dynamics and communication challenges * partnering with interpreters in the care of patients and family members with limited English-language proficiency * special considerations to take into account for LGBTQ+ patients and their loved ones * caring for patients who have a serious mental illness along with a cancer diagnosis * nonpharmacologic management of pain and other symptoms associated with cancer or its treatment The book features self-reflective exercises that encourage readers to consider their own biases before having discussions with patients and family members, as well as numerous patient stories that illustrate the techniques and insights clinicians can use to provide holistic, multidimensional care for a diverse cancer patient population.

Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Patients with Advanced Cancer by William S. Breitbart; Shannon R. Poppito, 2014 The importance of spiritual well-being and the role of "meaning" in moderating depression, hopelessness and desire for death in terminally-ill cancer and AIDS patients has been well-supported by research, and has led many palliative clinicians to look beyond the role of antidepressant treatment in this population. Clinicians are focusing on the development of non-pharmacologic interventions that can address issues such as hopelessness, loss of meaning, and spiritual well-being in patients with advanced cancer at the end of life. This effort led to an exploration and analysis of the work of Viktor Frankl and his concepts of logotherapy, or meaning-based psychotherapy. While Frankl's logotherapy was not designed for the treatment of patients with life-threatening illnesses, his concepts of meaning and spirituality have inspired applications in psychotherapeutic work with advanced cancer patients, many of whom seek guidance and help in dealing with issues of sustaining meaning, hope, and understanding cancer and impending death in the context of their lives. Individual Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (IMCP), an intervention developed and rigorously tested by the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is a seven-week program that utilizes a mixture of didactics, discussion and experiential exercises that focus around particular themes related to meaning and advanced cancer. Patients are assigned readings and homework that are specific to each session's theme and which are utilized in each session. While the focus of each session is on issues of meaning and purpose in life in the face of advanced cancer and a limited prognosis, elements of support and expression of emotion are inevitable in the context of each group session. The structured intervention presented in this manual can be provided by a wide array of clinical disciplines, ranging from chaplains, nurses, palliative care physicians, to counselors, psychotherapists, social workers, graduate psychology students, psychologists and psychiatrists.

MD Anderson Manual of Psychosocial Oncology by James D. Duffy; Alan Valentine, 2011 A practical and comprehensive guide to fostering behavioral and emotional health in cancer patients - from one of the world's leading cancer treatment centers 4 STAR DOODY'S REVIEW! "This is a very helpful guide for continuity of care in addressing these often silent issues with cancer patients. It also will assist in the often difficult conversations that need to take place with these patients, such as poor prognosis, failed treatment, or noncompliance."--Doody's Review Service Reflecting the collective expertise of more than forty contributors, most from the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center, this manual addresses key psychological and behavioral issues that should be considered when treating cancer patients, including special populations such as children and the elderly. Coverage includes: Communicating with patients and family Distress and cancer Assessment and management of psychological symptoms, including mood disorders, anxiety, fatigue, substance abuse, and delirium Family and cultural issues, including spirituality and religion and supporting the caregiver Integrative medicine Physical medicine and rehabilitation Grief and end-of-life issues, including non-pharmacologic interventions and palliative medicine Healthcare professional wellbeing MD Anderson Manual of Psychosocial Oncology is designed to be a practical guide for clinicians and allied professionals in the day-to-day practice of psychosocial oncology, which is an essential component of the comprehensive care of cancer patients and their caregivers.