Cancer and the Family Life Cycle

This book uses current psychosocial literature in combination with empirical research and clinical accounts of family adaptation to help professionals and families cope with the impact of cancer. It is broad in scope and includes families in any life cycle (i.e. single adults, children, adolescents, and later life). This book, with its solid theoretical foundation, will be especially beneficial to any professional who is helping a family to adapt to cancer.

Theresa A. Veach, Ph.D., obtained her doctorate in counseling psychology from Ball State University. She currently works with individuals and families at St. Joesph Hospital and Health Center in Kokomo, Indiana. She is a consultant for the department of radiation oncology, the Higgins Center for Women's Wellness, the hospital's pain program, St. Joseph at Home Hospice, and the palliative care task force. Donald R. Nicholas,Ph.D., is Professor of Counseling Psychology at Ball State University and serves as Associate Director of Psycho-Oncology at Ball Cancer Center of Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. He has worked with cancer patients and their families for over 15 years, while also establishing an active research and training program through which over 35 doctoral-level counseling psychology students have received training in psycho-oncology. Marci A. Barton, Ph.D., received herdoctorate in Counseling Psychology from Ball StateUniversity. She is currently the Director of the CancerPatient Support Program at Charleston Area Medical Centerin Charleston, West Virginia. She is a clinicalassistant professor in the Department of BehavioralMedicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University SchoolMedicine, Charleston Division. Dr. Barton is activelyinvolved in psycho-oncology research and presenting atnational conferences.

Preface Acknowledgments 1. Introduction and Overview 2. Diagnosis and the Family Life Cycle 3. Treatment and the Family Life Cycle 4. Rehabilitation and the Family Life Cycle: Living in Limbo 5. Survivorship and the Family Life Cycle: The Sword of Damocles 6. Recurrence/Advanced Disease and the Family Life Cycle: Life in the Balance 7. Terminal Illness and the Family Life Cycle: In a Strange Land Index