Quick Facts on Advanced Cancer »

The American Cancer Society is a grassroots organization committed to fighting cancer through balanced programs of research, education, patient service, rehabilitation, and advocacy. Its goals emphasize prevention, early detection, and screening; comprehensive treatment information; answers to questions about insurance, money, and planning for the future; and strategies for coping with the physical symptoms and emotional effects of cancer. They are based in Atlanta.

Although advanced cancer is not likely to be cured, it can frequently be controlled, and this book emphasizes that all patients should be well-informed decision-makers in planning their own treatment. Covering everything from risk factors to living well after cancer treatment, this pocket-sized reference provides critical questions to ask your healthcare team, is updated with the latest patient treatment guidelines, and includes an advanced dictionary of cancer-related terms.

Library Journal

These 4 x 7 inch books from the American Cancer Society (ACS)-released to coincide with National Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November) and the ACS Great American Smokeout (the third Thursday in November)-address in lay terms the issues confronting patients with advanced cancer and lung cancer. What cancer is, risk factors, metastases, diagnosis and staging, prevention, treatments (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, complementary/alternative therapies), what to ask the doctor, sources of support, palliative at-home and hospice care-these are the major issues covered here authoritatively and comprehensively for both patients and their loved ones. The ACS has achieved its goal of providing overviews that tackle need-to-know issues and supply references for additional follow-up information as desired. Recommended. [Other 2006 and 2007 entries in this series will address prostate, colon, skin, breast, bladder, and pancreatic cancer as well as leukemia, lymphedema, and bone metastasis.-Ed.]-James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Your Advanced Cancer
Introduction     1
What Is Advanced Cancer?     2
What Is Metastatic Cancer?     3
What Is Recurrent Cancer?     5
How Is Metastatic Cancer Different from Advanced Cancer?     5
Risk Factors and Causes
Do We Know What Causes Metastatic Cancer?     7
How Cancer Cells Spread     7
Why Cancer Cells Tend to Spread to Certain Parts of the Body     8
Which Cancers Spread Where?     10
How Many People Get Advanced Cancer?     13
Prevention
Can Advanced or Metastatic Cancer Be Prevented?     15
Diagnosis
How Is Advanced Cancer Found?     17
Signs and Symptoms     18
Physical Examination     18
Blood Tests     18
Imaging Tests     19
Treatment
How Is Advanced Cancer Treated?     25
Goals of Treatment     25
Surgery     26
Radiation Therapy     28
Chemotherapy     30
Hormone Therapy     31
Bisphosphonates     31
Clinical Trials     32
Complementary and Alternative Methods     36
More Treatment Information     37
Managing Physical Problems ofAdvanced Cancer     38
Broken Bones (Fractures)     38
Blocked Bowel (Bowel Obstruction)     39
Fatigue (Tiredness)     40
Hypercalcemia (Too Much Calcium in the Blood)     42
Nausea and Vomiting     43
Pain     45
Paralysis Due to Pressure on the Spinal Cord     48
Skin Problems     48
Superior Vena Cava Obstruction (Blocked Blood Flow to the Heart)     49
Dyspnea (Trouble Breathing)     49
Weight Loss and Not Eating Well (Poor Nutrition)     51
Problems According to Cancer Site     51
Cancer Spread to the Abdomen     52
Cancer Spread to Bones     53
Cancer Spread to the Brain     53
Cancer Spread to the Liver     54
Cancer Spread to the Chest or Lungs     55
Cancer Spread to the Skin     56
Questions to Ask
What Should You Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer?     57
Coping
Coping with Advanced Cancer     59
Dealing with Worry and the Unknown     59
Finding Hope     61
Coping with Pain and Discomfort     62
Relieving Depression     64
Feeling Less Alone     65
Managing Guilt      66
Facing Family Issues     67
Maintaining Sexual Feelings and Closeness     67
Getting Through a Long Illness     68
Finding Strength in the Spiritual     68
Facing Death     69
Sources of Support     69
Choices for Palliative Care     70
Money     73
Advance Directives     74
Resources     77
Glossary     83
Index     99