Oncology Nursing in Practice

The complexities of cancer care management are clearly explained and illustrated by the use of case histories at the end of each site-specific chapter. The book also addresses the controversies and problems surrounding health education programmes and screening. The book is divided into five main sections. Section one provides the reader with a definition of cancer and looks at the epidemiology and predisposing factors linked to specific cancers. The second section discusses the main treament options. This is followed by a section looking at the more common site-specific cancers. Each chapter in this section addresses the issues of cancer prevention, early detection, investigations and management. The fourth section discusses problems which could be encountered by certain groups of patients, e.g. management of fungating wounds, nutritional support, altered body image and sexuality problems. The book concludes with a section looking at how complementary therapies are being integrated into the main framework of cancer care, the importance of the spiritual/cultural aspects of cancer for an individual and the complex subject of breaking bad news.