Psychological Therapy for Patients with Cancer

This book deals with the treatment of cancer and suggests that, by concentrating solely on treatment at a cellular level, attention has been diverted from emotional and physical distress which may ensue. The authors promote the practice of adjuvant psychological therapy.

---

This book is based upon the concept that cancer treatment should involve more than surgical excision of the tumour or attempts to destroy cancer cells by means of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The benefits of cytotoxic drugs are seen to blind us to the physical and emotional distress which may ensue. The authors suggest that a comprehensive assessment of the various treatments is necessary and describe a method of psychological therapy which has been devised specifically for cancer patients which aims to be problem-focused and tailored to the needs of the individual patient and to induce a fighting spirit. The main body of the work is devoted to the theory and practice of this therapy.