From Book News, Inc.
Intended for children with cancer and their family and friends, this informative, sensitive guide describes the illness, its treatment, and how it changes the lives of the child and everybody involved with the child. A glossary of relevant terms is provided and a resource section lists supportive organizations. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.


Book Info
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Reference for the families of children with cancer on coping with cancer. Discusses topics such as communicating with family, friends, and the child's school, family stresses, and the financial impact as well as clinical aspects.

ANNOTATION

The book contains no figures.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book is intended for children who have the disease and for their families. Not just mothers and fathers, but brothers and sisters too, for they are as severely affected - in a different way - as the patients themselves. It is also for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. The outlook for children with cancer has improved greatly in the past several decades. Still, cancer in a child is an overwhelming experience for a family. Surviving Childhood Cancer: A Guide for Families describes the illness, its treatment, and how it changes the lives of both the child with cancer and his or her family. Although there is no simple recipe for survival, there are ways to make the experience of cancer more bearable. Written with great sensitivity and understanding, this book provides practical advice about how to cope with emotions and stress; how to handle communication about the illness with the child as well as with family members, friends, classmates, employers, and others; where to obtain information and help; and how to develop honest and trusting relationships with medical caregivers. Interwoven throughout the text are many insightful and inspirational stories of those who have faced and survived cancer; through these, the reader learns how others have not only gotten through the ordeal but also emerged from it stronger and more aware of what is truly important in life.

FROM THE CRITICS

Elaine Morgan

This is a sensitive and informative new book written by a health writer that provides a comprehensive description of the events surrounding the diagnosis of childhood cancer and its impact on the child, extended family, and friends. The purpose is to provide a description of the process of cancer -- what actually happens -- and how this impacts on child, family, and friends. It also provides practical hints on how to survive the experience as well as a guide to available resources. This is clearly important information, and the objectives are met in an understandable, complete, and sensitive manner. The major targeted audience for this book is the family and patient affected by childhood cancer. However, the breadth and insight of information could prove to be interesting and valuable to all caregivers of such children. The author is a knowledgeable health field writer and has selected individuals with a great deal of experience in the field as sources of information. The book is well formatted in clearly titled sections and is replete with illustrative and insightful case studies that enhance the presentation and provide material to which readers can personally relate. The references are modest in number but are current, relevant, and adequate for the intended audience. There is a helpful glossary of medical terminology as well as a practical list of resources. This is an understandable, informative, accurate description of all the components of the childhood cancer experience from the patient's viewpoint. There is accurate factual explanation of the significant medical aspects of the experience. This book will reach out to and be a valuable source of information for families involvedin this experience and meets an overwhelming need of these families for such a resource. In addition, it could provide caregivers with insight into their patients' overall experience.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Elaine Morgan, MD (Children's Memorial Hospital)Description: This is a sensitive and informative new book written by a health writer that provides a comprehensive description of the events surrounding the diagnosis of childhood cancer and its impact on the child, extended family, and friends. Purpose: The purpose is to provide a description of the process of cancer:what actually happens:and how this impacts on child, family, and friends. It also provides practical hints on how to survive the experience as well as a guide to available resources. This is clearly important information, and the objectives are met in an understandable, complete, and sensitive manner. Audience: The major targeted audience for this book is the family and patient affected by childhood cancer. However, the breadth and insight of information could prove to be interesting and valuable to all caregivers of such children. The author is a knowledgeable health field writer and has selected individuals with a great deal of experience in the field as sources of information. Features: The book is well formatted in clearly titled sections and is replete with illustrative and insightful case studies that enhance the presentation and provide material to which readers can personally relate. The references are modest in number but are current, relevant, and adequate for the intended audience. There is a helpful glossary of medical terminology as well as a practical list of resources. Assessment: This is an understandable, informative, accurate description of all the components of the childhood cancer experience from the patient's viewpoint. There is accurate factual explanation of the significant medical aspects of the experience. This book will reach out to and be a valuable source of information for families involved in this experience and meets an overwhelming need of these families for such a resource. In addition, it could provide caregivers with insight into their patients' overall experience.

Booknews

Intended for children with cancer and their family and friends, this informative, sensitive guide describes the illness, its treatment, and how it changes the lives of the child and everybody involved with the child. A glossary of relevant terms is provided and a resource section lists supportive organizations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

RATING

4 Stars! from Doody

ACCREDITATION