Rehabilitation and palliation have become an essential part of modern comprehensive cancer care. This book contains experiences of the author and specific instructions how to assess, treat, and evaluate rehabilitation and palliation in cancer patients. There are many excellent text books in cancer management which provide therapeutic recommendations thereby influencing the disease. However, this book focuses on improving well being of the cancer patient versus curative measures. To improve quality of life for cancer patients has been the endeavour of the author for the past 25 years. This goal is the guiding theme throughout the book.

Introduction The prevailing model of medical care for patients with cancer emphasizes the curative efforts of medical technology toward the eradication of the disease. Yet the suffering of the patient as a result of both the disease and our efforts to treat it is often overlooked. If we are to improve the survival of patients with cancer, it will be through intensive research into the molecular under pinnings of the disease and clinical trials of new therapies. However, it is essen tial to recognize and address the suffering of cancer patients as they are being treated. It is the purpose of this book to illuminate and advance the preven tion and treatment of suffering as part of the continuum of care for patients with cancer. Fundamental concepts Since the time of Hippocrates in the fifth century B.c., there have been two overall goals for the physician: • Cure of disease • Relief of suffering From our vantage point in the late twentieth century looking back at previ ous centuries, it is easy to observe that, aside from surgery, much of the medical care administered to patients with cancer was aimed at relieving the suffering associated with illness. It wasn't until the concept of disease (as opposed to illness) was elucidated and the scientific method was applied to understand ing and eradicating cancer that significant strides were made to improve the physician's ability to cure cancer.

Rehabilitation in Cancer Care is an essential clinical resource forall Allied Health Professionals working within or entering thisspecialist area. It provides practical guidance for therehabilitation of people with cancer or those receiving palliativecare. As well as explaining the key skills required at every stageof the cancer journey, the book specifically offers advice ondiagnosis, treatment, management and effective interventions.Furthermore the role of each member of the interdisciplinary teamis clearly explained at each stage, as is the importance of teamwork and holistic care. Section 1 introduces the reader to the rationale for therehabilitation of people with cancer or those receiving palliativecare, Section 2 looks at the multi-professional management ofcommon cancers and Section 3 looks at symptom management.

The first truly interdisciplinary book on supportive oncology and palliative care returns with a new edition that serves as a practical guide to the management of the myriad symptoms and quality-of-life issues that occur in patients with cancer—including newly diagnosed patients, patients undergoing treatment, cancer survivors, and patients whose disease is no longer curable. The interdisciplinary group of contributors includes leading experts in hospice care and palliative medicine, oncology, nursing, neurology, psychiatry, anesthesiology, and pharmacology. This completely revised edition features new chapters on caregiver stress, hepatic failure, pulmonary failure, research issues in palliative care, and beginning a palliative care program. Content has been aligned with the needs of today's palliative care fellowship programs and includes additional tables, algorithms, and flow charts.

The new global cancer data suggests that the global burden has risen to 18.1 million new cases per year and 9.6 million cancer deaths per year. A number of factors appear to be driving this increase, in particular, a growing and aging global population and an increase of exposure to cancer risk factors linked to social and economic development. For rapidly-growing economies, the data suggests a shift from poverty- or infection-related cancers to those associated with lifestyles more typical in industrialized countries. There is still large geographical diversity in cancer occurrence and variations in the magnitude and profile of the disease between and within world regions. There are specific types of cancer that dominate globally: lung, female breast and colorectal cancer, and the regional variations in common cancer types signal the extent to which societal, economic and lifestyle changes interplay to deferentially impact on the profile of this most complex group of diseases. Unfortunately, despite advances in cancer care, a significant proportion of patients at home, experience sub-optimal outcomes. Barriers to successful treatment outcomes include, but are not limited to: access to oncologists in the primary health centers, non-adherence, lack of experienced oncology and palliative care nurses in the community, inadequate monitoring and the lack of training of family and pediatric physicians. Telemedicine approaches, including telephone triage/education, telemonitoring, teleconsultation and status tracking through mobile applications, have shown promise in further improving outcomes, in particular for chronic cancer patients following their hospitalization. Lessons can be learned from existing hospices in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Centers of Excellence in African (Uganda) and modern community services in India (Kerala). An important goal of this book is to describe and encourage professionals to develop new community programs in palliative care, which include training and empowering physicians and nurses in the community on the principles of palliative care. The Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) together with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) have conducted multiple courses ranging from basic palliative care to more specialized training in palliative care for multiple nationalities in Europe, Asia and Africa. Our experience clearly indicates that, to promote such activities, one needs strong leadership and confirmed political will to support the endeavor. The new book will emphasize the importance of having a core of multiple stakeholders including community leaders, government, NGOs and media to be actively involved in advocating for the cause and generating public awareness. This text will provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the outside-of-the-hospital treatment of cancer patients by medical, paramedical and volunteer personnel. In doing so, this text will encourage the creation of new palliative care services improving upon the existing ones and stimulate further research in this field. Part 1 of the text will begin with an overview of the current state of affairs of services provided to cancer patients while being cared for by primary health centers. It will also review the current literature regarding medical and psychological-based therapy options in the community for cancer patients at different stages of their disease. Part 2 will address the unique role of the community nurse, within the framework of the multidisciplinary team treating the patient, in the attempt to provide optimal evaluation and care in very challenging situations (such as with terminal patients). Part 3 will provide insightful models of this new discipline and serve as a valuable resource for physicians, nurses, social workers and others involved in the care of cancer patients. The book will take a multidisciplinary approach, integrating clinical and environmental data for practical management to enhance the efficacy of treatment while relieving suffering. Part 4 will also discuss the application of modern technological approaches to track symptoms, quality of life, diet, mobility, duration of sleep and medication use (including pain killers) in chronic cancer patients in the community. Part 5 of the book will also be devoted to modes of developing a collaborative program between governmental and non-governmental organization sectors. This includes volunteer workers in close collaboration with medical professionals for providing emotional and spiritual support, nursing care, nutritional support and empowering family caregivers. Such a model makes palliative care in the community a “people’s movement”, thus transferring part of the responsibility and ownership to the community.

In our society's aggressive pursuit of cures for cancer, we have neglected symptom control and comfort care. Less than one percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget is spent on any aspect of palliative care research or education, despite the half million people who die of cancer each year and the larger number living with cancer and its symptoms. Improving Palliative Care for Cancer examines the barriersâ€"scientific, policy, and socialâ€"that keep those in need from getting good palliative care. It goes on to recommend public- and private-sector actions that would lead to the development of more effective palliative interventions; better information about currently used interventions; and greater knowledge about, and access to, palliative care for all those with cancer who would benefit from it.

Finally, a concise pocket guide designed as a quick reference for busy clinicians who seek to improve the care they provide to cancer patients and cancer survivors. It is a comprehensive text formatted for fast access to a wide range of clinical information. This compact compendium is conveniently organized by cancer type for rapid review. It describes the many issues that cancer patients may face throughout the chronologic spectrum of care, starting from cancer diagnosis, to treatment, and survivorship. Each chapter helpfully highlights common impairments and treatment options using succinct tables, helpful illustrations and clinical peals from experts in the field. In addition, each chapter contains a clinical case and questions on the material to enhance understanding. Evidence for exercise treatment, including pertinent exercise precautions, is included, as are innovative research topics and emerging treatments. This includes dedicated chapters covering cancers of the breast; digestive organs; brain, eye, and central nervous system; urinary tract and genital organs; lip, oral cavity, and pharynx; lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissues; bone, articular cartilage, and soft tissues; respiratory and intrathoracic organs; skin. Thankfully, advances in cancer care such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery mean that more people than ever before are surviving long after their cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, a large fraction of them live with at least one serious impairment as a consequence of their treatments that seriously impacts their ability to function and quality of life. This concise and essential guide to cancer rehabilitation will help the clinician navigate the care of this often complex population.

Offering a well-rounded overview of CNS cancers and best practices for rehabilitation of the cancer patient, Spinal and Brain Cancer Rehabilitation provides succinct, easy-to-digest coverage for practicing and trainee physiatrists, as well as physical and occupational therapists. This concise resource by Dr. Adrian Cristian begins with an introduction to CNS cancers and progresses to rehabilitation practice, associated symptom management, and palliative care. - Covers commonly used medical, surgical, and radiation treatments; the continuum of rehabilitative care; safety considerations; cancer fatigue; depression and anxiety; cognitive impairment; and much more. - Discusses pediatric cancer rehabilitation, cancer pain management, palliative care, and associated symptoms and conditions. - Consolidates today's available information on this timely topic into one convenient resource.