Human Side of Cancer: Living with Hope, Coping with Uncertainty » (Reprint)

Jimmie C. Holland, M.D., is chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and professor of psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Holland received the American Cancer Society's highest award, the Medal of Honor, in 1994. She lives in Scarsdale, New York, with her husband, James F. Holland, M.D.

Dr. Jimmie Holland, a pioneer in the field of psycho-oncology, has spent years talking to people with cancer and their families and presents a new understanding of what it's like to face this dreaded disease. She understands that everyone copes very differently with such a prospect, and puts forward the controversial yet commonsense notion that the current overzealous belief in the mind-body connection leads many people to blame themselves for getting cancer, or for not getting better. She provides practical and compassionate guidance on:

• What makes a cancer diagnosis easier—and harder—to deal with
• How to respect and appropriately respond to a person's way of coping and avoid the "one size fits all" approach
• How to help patients find meaning in what's happening
• The help available for people dealing with the emotional aspects of cancer.

Sensitive and eloquent, The Human Side of Cancer offers cancer patients and their loved ones honest and reassuring advice on dealing with the greatest challenge of their lives.

Publishers Weekly

Chief of psychiatry at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, Holland is one of the founders of psycho-oncology. In this well-rounded guide, she and Lewis (an editor at Healthy Living) provide sensible and clear advice for people living with cancer. What makes this manual different is Holland and Lewis's belief that there's no one style of coping that's right for everyone--instead, they survey a range of available strategies, both physical (e.g., medications) and psychological (e.g., support groups). Antidepressant and antianxiety medications get a lot of attention here--the authors consider them important tools in the fight against not only severe depression, but also fear of surgery and sleeplessness; they are also important in aiding the terminally ill. Though they emphasize traditional Western treatments, Holland and Lewis don't dismiss potentially complementary alternative therapies, like meditation, yoga, acupuncture and aromatherapy. These techniques, they contend, while not proven cures, may enhance quality of life and are particularly useful to those patients who want an active role in maintaining their health. In addition, they recommend lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Likewise, their discussion of the physical problems that may occur after cancer treatment (including impotence and changes in appearance) is honest and practical. Illus. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

	Acknowledgments
Ch. 1	What Is the Human Side of Cancer?	1
Ch. 2	The Tyranny of Positive Thinking	13
Ch. 3	The Mind-Body Connection and Cancer	26
Ch. 4	The Diagnosis: "I Could Die of This"	39
Ch. 5	Working Together	50
Ch. 6	Coping	68
Ch. 7	The Human Side of Cancer Treatments	92
Ch. 8	The Human Side of Specific Cancers	116
Ch. 9	All Medicine Doesn't Come in a Bottle: Psychological Treatment	135
Ch. 10	Alternative and Complementary Therapies	179
Ch. 11	"I'm a Survivor - Now What?"	190
Ch. 12	Staying Healthy	221
Ch. 13	The Goal Is Control	239
Ch. 14	The Last Taboo	250
Ch. 15	The Family and Cancer	276
Ch. 16	How Do I Go On?	294
	Epilogue	315
	Resources	317
	Index	333