What does supportive care do that palliative care doesn't already do? Answering that question forms part of the rationale behind this text. Supportive care should encompass a wide range of diverse disciplines and practices, ranging from symptom management, to rehabilitation, to social, spiritual, and psychological support, patient information, and complementary therapies. Supportive care is, therefore, delivered across the whole cancer experience from diagnosis through treatment to post-treatment care, and so necessitates the involvement of most clinical specialties and many non-clinical services. Palliative care - which focuses on advanced disease and end of life - has a special and important role within this broader and longer-term scope of supportive care in cancer.

This handbook defines the new and emerging specialty and equips its workforce with the appropriate skill sets.

Supplies the framework of knowledge and orientation for the best interactions with patients Focuses on the essential points needed by those in training Provides the ideal starting-point for a professional career in Supportive Oncology