The book begins with a comprehensive look at the issues and scope of the frequently used term "quality of life". Chapters two and three take an in-depth look at the impact of cancer on the individual and the family. Chapters four to six then introduce the principal aspects of cancer as a disease from both a medical and nursing perspective, beginning with cancers of the aerodigestive tract through to lower gastrointestinal cancers.

Chapter seven covers the role of nutrition in the prevention of cancer and the nutritional management of patients with cancer. Chapters eight and nine provide a guide to the management of patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy in order to familiarize the gastroenterology nurse with what may lie ahead for the patient.

The final chapter outlines the principles of symptom management and palliative care for integration into patient care throughout the course of cancer.

Table of Contents:

Contributors.

Series Foreword.

Preface.

Chapter 1 Quality of life and the cancer journey, Suzanne Nikoletti and S. Robin Cohen.

Chapter 2 The impact of cancer on self-concept, Liz Ashton.

Chapter 3 The impact of cancer on the family, Linda J. Kristjanson and Sue Davis.

Chapter 4 Cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract: head and neck, Peter Rhys Evans and Fran Rhys Evans.

Chapter 5 Cancfer of the upper gastrointestinal tract, Karen Tarbuni, Hanif Shiwani and Peter Sedman.

Chapter 6 Cancer of the lower gastrointestinal tract: colon and rectum cancer, Mandi Bulmer and Graeme Duthie.

Chapter 7 Nutrition and gastrointestinal cancer, Diane Palmer and Pamela Barker.

Chapter 8 Care of the patient receiving radiotherapy, Davina Porock.

Chapter 9 Care of the patient receiving chemotherapy, Sally Legge.

Chapter 10 Symptom management and palliative care, Julie MacDonald and Tracey McCready.

Index.