For more than twenty years, this guide has been the go-to resource for busy practicing oncology and palliative care clinicians.
This fourth edition, now titled Comprehensive Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer, provides physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and patients and their families with detailed information and advice for alleviating the suffering of cancer patients and their loved ones.
Drawing on the work of experts who have developed revolutionary approaches to symptom management and palliative care, as well as on lessons learned during her decades as a teacher and clinician, Dr. Janet L. Abrahm and her coauthors illustrate how to help patients and families understand their prognosis, communicate their care preferences, and minimize their distress.
This edition reflects important updates in the field while addressing the informational needs of a broader market of health care providers, including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, bereavement counselors, and chaplains.
This new edition features three new chapters—“Spiritual Care in Palliative Care,” “Psychological Considerations,” and “Bereavement”—as well as specific guidelines about:
- Advance care planning at all phases of cancer
- Understanding complex family dynamics and communication challenges
- Partnering with interpreters in the care of patients and family members with limited English-language proficiency
- Special considerations to take into account for LGBTQ+ patients and their loved ones
- Caring for patients who have a serious mental illness along with a cancer diagnosis
- Nonpharmacologic management of pain and other symptoms associated with cancer or its treatment
Find the book here
Testimonials
“This book is an incredible resource for all clinicians, chaplains, students and others who care for patients with cancer. The writing style is inviting, conveying the 'facts' of care in a holistic, patient-centered narrative. Filled with excellent easily accessible resources, each chapter has brief practice points that enable translation of knowledge into daily clinical care. This is the book you keep on your shelf or e-reader to refer to over and over again.”
Christina Puchalski, MD, MS, FAAHPM, FACP
Director of the George Washington Institute of Spirituality and Health and an Associate Professor of Medicine, George Washington University
“Osler said that there is no substitute for the wisdom gleaned from the consistent, thorough care of patients. This book is proof of that in the subspecialty of supportive and palliative care for patients with cancer. Dr. Abrahm is a wise, seasoned clinician with the skill to write clearly and persuasively enabling others to do likewise. Those wishing to be the best in this new field can do no better than be tutored by her in this 4th edition of her well-loved treatise. This book will give you the feeling that you have Dr. Abrahm at your elbow, teaching, guiding, and coaching.”
Charles F von Gunten, MD, PhD
Past Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Palliative Care
“The 4th edition of A Comprehensive Guide to Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer is a superb 'go-to' guide for all clinicians caring for patients with cancer and their families. Written by experts in palliative care, family dynamics, sexuality, spirituality, and psychiatry, Dr. Abrahm and her collaborators provide accessible answers to the unique communication and symptom management challenges with attention to the cultural differences present throughout the world. Everyone, including palliative care experts, will find new tools and strategies that will surprise and empower you!”
Frank Ferris, MD, FAAHPM, FAACE
Member, ASCO International Affairs Committee, Past Chair, ASCO International Education Steering Group, Past Chair, ASCO Education Council
“This is truly a comprehensive reference that is a thorough guide to all aspects of supportive care in cancer. A draft manuscript of the book's first edition helped me through my palliative care fellowship years ago, and I continue to rely on it today.”
David Cassaret, MD, MA, FAAHPM
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
“Comprehensive Supportive and Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer's newly revised fourth edition, with its expanded title and content, showcases Dr. Abrahm's and her colleagues' exceptional expertise in combining the teaching of the science of effective communication skills and clinical management of complex physical, psychological and spiritual symptoms with their consummate understanding of the art of caring for the seriously ill cancer patient and family. It is a uniquely readable text using clinical anecdotes to emphasize fact-based information, state of the art assessment tools and scales, and access to a multimedia website with a range of detailed educational resources together providing the critical elements of the essential core curriculum for all clinicians working interprofessionally in oncology.”
Kathleen M Foley, MD
Member Emeritus, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
“When caring for people with cancer, challenges arise in communications and symptom management for which there are practical and compassionate approaches and solutions. This comprehensive guide provides specific strategies, tools, and guidance for clinicians to support their patients, teams and themselves through the cancer care continuum. I enthusiastically recommend it to oncologists and all who care for oncology patients and their families.”
Ann H Partridge, MD, MPH; Eric P Winer, MD
Chair in Breast Cancer Research; Vice Chair, Department of Medical Oncology; Director, Adult Survivorship Program; Director, Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
“This book goes beyond the traditional focus on pain and symptom management and includes expert collaborators while still maintaining a unified style that makes it enjoyable to read. It represents a wonderful introduction to supportive and palliative care for all clinician. Strongly recommended!”
Eduardo Bruera, MD
FT McGraw Chair in the Treatment of Cancer, Chair, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
“Dr. Abrahm's experience as a nationally recognized medical oncologist and palliative care expert comes to life in the newest edition of her book. Although previous editions were similarly replete with compelling patient stories, this latest edition includes additional material beneficial for social workers, psychologists, bereavement counselors, and chaplains. Even lay people will find value in Dr. Abrahm's words of wisdom. A must-read for any healthcare trainee or health professional seeking to care for the patient, not just the cancer.”
Tara C Friedman, MD, FAAHPM
CMO Chapters Health System, Past President, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
“I've had the enormous privilege of working side by side with great palliative care clinicians in Boston throughout my career, and now you can too! Dr. Abrahm is not only an invaluable resource to us in Boston, but now through this book to all practicing oncologists. You'll want this book at the ready for immediate access.”
David Ryan, MD
Clinical Director, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center; Shelby Memorial Professor of Medicine in the Field of Cancer Therapeutics, Harvard Medical School
“Since its first edition, Dr. Abrahm's book has been one of my 'go to' resources when I am trying to think comprehensively about a complex cancer patient. I can always find something here that I haven't thought of―or that I've forgotten―that enhances my strategic approach to patient care. This is a core resource for all learners who pursue excellence in managing the symptoms of patients with cancer. I look forward to every new edition to enhance my practice.”
Tammie E Quest, MD, FAAHPM
Professor and Chief, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine; Montgomery Chair in Palliative Medicine; Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine; Director, Emory Palliative Care Center
“Janet Abrahm and her colleagues have written a humane, sensible, comprehensive, and expert interdisciplinary guide to palliative and supportive care for cancer patients. The book is well-balanced, providing expert perspectives on both symptom management and the psychological, social, and spiritual tasks of clinical care, emphasizing the critical role of teamwork. The book emphasizes the powerful role of effective communication as a mediator of clinical outcomes, and provides approaches to support clinicians in these key tasks, including self-care. This is the book I would want my clinicians to have read and internalized when I have to face this phase of life.”
Susan Block, MD
Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School