Psycho-Oncology
Psycho-Oncology 19: 1010–1011 (2010)
Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
Book Review
Medical and Psychosocial Care of the Cancer
Survivor. Edited by Kenneth D. Miller. Jones and
Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury (MA), 2010. No. of
pages: 479. Price: $59.95 (US), £68.99 (UK). ISBN
978-0763757700.
On the first page of the book’s preface, one
sentence represents the entire focus of the book:
‘The day of diagnosis is essentially as ‘‘unforgetta-
ble’’ as are the days that follow when treatment
starts and then finishes.’ Many of those who work
throughout the medical field focus solely on
overcoming the initial period of cancer treatment,
but they are not always aware of the significant
effects that cancer survivors can experience 2, 5, or
even 20 years following their diagnosis.
The book Medical and Psychosocial Care of the
Cancer Survivor is divided into four parts: (1) An
Introduction, (2) Psychological Issues, (3) Epide-
miologic Issues, and (4) Medical Issues. Part 1 of
this book introduces the concept of cancer
survivorship and its many challenges. This section
outlines the medical phases that a cancer patient
goes through, from pre-diagnosis symptoms
through long-term survivorship. It also reminds
the reader that, in addition to medical and physical
needs, cancer survivors commonly have needs
related to psychological and spiritual issues. Dr
Miller makes it a point to discuss how entering into
survivorship can be a time of joyous celebration,
but it is also one that is accompanied by fears,
worries, and a potential decrease in support.
The section on psychological issues discusses
various topics ranging from symptom management
to fertility and sexuality. Each of the 10 chapters
within this section is very brief, direct, and offers
recommendations for helping the survivor move
forward into recovery. The chapter on Post-
Traumatic Stress recognizes The Wellness Com-
munity (TWC) model and the many support
groups that it offers in 24 cities and worldwide on
the Internet. This chapter is one of the few that
gives the reader an evidence-based resource to
direct patients to. The next chapter addresses the
issue of post-traumatic growth and discusses the
benefits that some individuals report experiencing
after cancer diagnosis and treatment. This chapter
encourages clinicians to help their patients find
hope in even the smallest accomplishments which
can reduce experiences of cancer-related distress.
Chapters 6–8 go into great detail on sexuality and
fertility concerns. These chapters offer a break-
down on the concerns facing both men and women
and the many treatment options that are available.
The chapters place a strong emphasis on the power
Copyright r 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
of communication and the need to discuss these
sensitive topics with each patient. Chapter 9 offers
a wealth of information on treatment options and
quality of life among prostate cancer survivors.
This chapter covers the quality of life concerns
associated with each form of treatment that can
often go unmentioned. Chapter 10 discusses the
importance of genetic counseling for survivors and
their family members. This chapter provides a good
overview of risk factors that help to identify a
person who is at greatest risk for hereditary
cancers. Chapter 11 discusses the often ignored
challenges that face survivors who are also parents.
This chapter focuses at great length on the ways in
which parents can discuss their cancer with their
children, and even offers ways to discuss end-of-life
concerns, which is often a very sensitive topic. The
final chapter of part 2 looks into the important role
of the caregiver and again offers The Wellness
Community’s online support groups as a way to
avoid caregiver burnout and offer a sense of hope.
Part 3 reviews a number of epidemiologic issues
related to cancer prevention and survivorship.
Chapters 13 and 14 focus on physical activity and
nutrition and the role they play in survivorship.
These two chapters specifically address the positive
lifestyle changes that survivors can make to
potentially reduce their risk of disease recurrence.
Chapters 15–17 review issues associated with second
primary cancers and treatment-related malignancies.
Chapter 16 specifically looks at the secondary effects
and long-term complications of using radiation as a
treatment for Hodgkin’s disease. This chapter is a
valuable resource for providers working with
Hodgkin’s disease survivors treated with radiation.
Despite being a highly curable cancer, the secondary
effects from treatment can be devastating. Chapter
18, the final chapter in part 3, discusses health
concerns faced by adult survivors of childhood
cancers. Often, these adult survivors’ needs are not
being met as they transition from the pediatric
healthcare system to the adult system, and the need
to develop a long-term model of care for these
patients is emphasized as a future goal.
The final part of this book discusses medical
concerns facing survivors after the completion of
cancer treatment. Each of the 12 chapters reviews a
medical problem that can arise following che-
motherapy or radiation. These chapters review
common problems related to cardiac and pulmon-
ary dysfunction, as well as problems readers may
not be so familiar with such as otologic con-
sequences and rheumatic problems. The chapter on
‘Chemobrain’ helps to create a sense of ‘normalcy’
in relation to the cognitive deficits a survivor can

experience during and immediately after treatment
and for many years thereafter.
This book provides an excellent overview of the
many effects that cancer can have on an individual.
That said, if there is one area that seems to be
missing, it is a chapter dedicated to discussing the
challenges facing the young adult survivor. These
survivors face several unique issues, and providers
would benefit from learning about strategies for
dealing with common experiences and challenges
in this population. However, overall the book
Copyright r 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1011
successfully achieves its goal of increasing profes-
sionals’ knowledge and confidence in working with
cancer survivors who commonly face a multitude
of concerns, and it is an excellent resource for
clinicians and survivors alike.
Nicolette Balkin, MA, LPC
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints
Racine, WI, USA
DOI: 10.1002/pon.1796
Psycho-Oncology 19: 1010–1011 (2010)
DOI: 10.1002/pon