The book begins with a comprehensive examination of the issues and scope of the frequently used term ‘quality of life’, providing a thorough critique of its meaning and assessment in practice. This content is presented as the first chapter because promotion of quality of life for the patient and family is a major concern of oncology nursing practice. To be effective the nurse needs a clear understanding of quality of life, how to measure it
and how to evaluate the impact of nursing interventions. Chapters 2 and 3 take an in-depth look at the impact of cancer on the individual and the family. The purpose of these two chapters is to consider the cancer patient as an individual within the context of the family, providing practical suggestions for understanding and helping the patient and family. These three chapters form the foundation for the subsequent chapters.