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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cancer in Young Adults Through Parents' Eyes, 30 Nov 2002
George died from osteosarcoma at the age of 23. Throughout the four years of his illness his parents, Geoff and Helen, sought in vain for information on the life stage issues which they felt made the management of his life threatening illness during young adulthood so difficult. After George's death in 1999 they established a fund to research such issues in young adults aged 18-24 suffering from cancer. Cancer in Young Adults Through Parents Eyes is the result.Despite being the outcome of a university research project, this is a book for everyone. It draws heavily on the narratives supplied by parents whose young adult children have had cancer, as well as on previous research studies. The issues explored include: the impact of illness on family life; independence; sexuality and fertility; the need for normality; the effect on siblings and marital relationships; the ownership of medical knowledge; the financial implications of illness; and the emotional challenge of death and its aftermath. The structure of the book makes it flexible and easy to use whatever your role or interest in the subject. The thematic chapter organisation allows the reader to access material at will. Each chapter begins with George's story. As this was taken in extract form from taped conversations between George's mother, Helen, and the author, Dr Anne Grinyer, it has a conversational tone and fluency, which make it powerful yet accessible. All the narratives, which are skilfully interwoven with the text by the author, are extremely open, honest, and emotional, some almost raw in their intensity. This adds to the book's authenticity and sense of authority. Health professionals at all levels involved with cancer care can draw on these accounts and the reflections at the end of each chapter to inform their own practice and to guide families going through the process. Academics will find the empirical material and analysis of others' studies useful in their teaching or research. But most of all it is hoped the material will be of use to families undergoing the process as a means of support, enabling them to put their experiences into context. One in three people will experience cancer. Most of us know someone who has. Some will know a young adult who has died as a result of the disease. Whatever your interest, or background in the subject there is something here for you. For me it was the voices of the narratives, which give the book its authority and lasting impression.
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