Help in facing cancer Help in facing cancer (April 14, 2004)

New book addresses diagnoses, treatments and tough choices

by The Health Library

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is an overwhelming experience. In short order, cancer patients must overcome the shock of diagnosis, attempt to understand their condition and make decisions about the treatment options available to them. Finding a trusted source of information can be an important step for patients and their families to integrate cancer and cancer therapy into their lives.

A new book, "Facing Cancer: a Complete Guide for People with Cancer, their Families and Caregivers," by Drs. Theodore A. Stern and Mikkael A. Sekeres, is a resource that patients and their loved ones can rely on to answer questions and provide support when they need it most. It is a handy book that can easily be carried to a doctor's appointments and referred to when asking questions.

"Facing Cancer" is unique and useful because it addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of cancer. Among the topics discussed are caregiver stress, cognitive impairment associated with cancer treatment, and the meaning of cancer to children.

Written by 33 leading cancer specialists (oncologists) and psychologists, "Facing Cancer" makes complex subjects understandable without being too simplistic.

The book answers the question, "What is cancer?" and goes on to describe different forms of the disease. Screening, diagnosis and staging are explained in detail. The latest therapies, both conventional and alternative, and side effects associated with them, are explored.

Readers also learn about management pain, depression and anxiety associated with the disease. Palliative care, living wills, hospice and other end-of-life issues are discussed frankly. The book closes with an extensive and useful glossary of cancer-related terms along with a valuable list of Internet resources and a bibliography of books dealing with cancer.

"Facing Cancer" is available at the Stanford Health Library. A number of other books dealing with medical and psychological aspects of cancer can also be found at the Health Library. Some other titles we recommend are: "Supportive Cancer Care," by Ernest Rosenbaum, M.D. and Isadora Rosenbaum, M.A.; "Surviving Cancer Emotionally," by Roger Granet, M.D.; "Cancer Tips," by James Metz; and "Live Longer, Live Larger," by William Bucholz, M.D. and Susan Bucholz, Ph.D. Online information can be found at http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu.

The Stanford Health Library recently opened its third branch in the new Stanford Cancer Center. The Center, located adjacent to Stanford Hospital, is dedicated to providing the latest treatment advances and information in a warm and supportive environment. Got a question for To Your Health? E-mail The Health Library at ndickenson@stanfordmed.org. The Health Library resources are not intended as a substitute for medical care. The main branch is located at 2-B Stanford Shopping Center. For more information, call 725-8400 or point your Internet browser to http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu. The Health Library is a community service of Stanford Hospital and Clinics.

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