Description
The book "The Psychoimmunology of Cancer" was first published in 1994 and focused on the emerging topic of the relationship between psychological variables, the immune system, and cancer growth. In the years since, there has been a significant increase in academic literature and popular interest in this field. The second edition of the book includes critical reviews from leading specialists on the biological background and clinical aspects of psychoimmunology. Part I is geared towards those with technical knowledge, covering mechanisms of the immune system and anti-cancer mechanisms. Part II is more accessible and discusses the potential for psychotherapeutic interventions to improve both coping and longevity for cancer patients. A new chapter on the spiritual context of immunity and cancer has been added. While there is still much to be understood about the complex issues involved in psychoimmunology, the contributors offer predictions for the future and ideas for further research.
When the first edition of this book published in 1994, the psychoimmunology of cancer was still emerging as a topic for serious scientific study. Now, less than ten years later, there is a huge academic literature about the relationships between psychological variables, the immun system and cancer growth, accompanied by a lively popular interest. In this new edition leading specialists have provided broad critical reviews of the different aspects. Part I, which presents the biological background, will be of particular interest to those with technical knowledge of the relevant laboratory based disciplines. It covers mechanisms mediating the effects of psychological status in the immune system, and anti-cancer mechanisms involving the immune system. Part II is clinically oriented, and accessible to a wide audience. Whether psychotherapeutic interventions can help patients live longer, as well as coping better, is obviously the key question and several contributors considern the clinical evidence for this. A new speculative chapter on the spiritual context of immunity and cancer has also been added. The psychoimmunology of cancer involves many complex issues, understanding of which remains far from complete. However, the contributors, besides reviewing the current state of knowledge and the implications for cancer patients, offer predictions for the future and ideas about furhter research.
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