Managing prostate cancer: a guide for living better

Cancer and its treatment inflict a physical, emotional, and psychological cost. Roth, a psychiatrist who works at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, effectively zooms in on the emotional toll of prostate cancer, which includes anger, fear, frustration, isolation, regret, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Roughly one-third of patients with prostate cancer deal with substantial psychological difficulties, including anxiety and depression. Sometimes spouses also feel like patients in the process. Roth writes about coping and relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, and a variety of medication options for men struggling with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer, side effects of treatment, or a recurrence of the disease. Treatment choices, such as radical prostatectomy surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and active surveillance (no invasive treatment), are briefly discussed. Worries that men may have about the disease and its complications, such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems, are ably addressed. Grieving, marital relationships, and PSA anxiety (a dread of rising blood levels of the prostate-specific antigen) are thoughtfully considered. Roth offers a first-rate overview of how best to respond to a diagnosis of prostate cancer.--Miksanek, Tony Copyright 2015 Booklist

Men, generally, have a different emotional makeup from women. To what extent this is biological vs. cultural remains controversial, but some research suggests a bidirectional relationship of influence. These emotional differences shape how men approach their health and respond to illness, particularly a life-threatening cancer. To make matters worse, prostate cancer and its treatment jeopardizes male sexual performance, which is often an important factor in how men define their masculinity. Roth (clinical professor & attending psychiatrist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr.), who treats the emotional needs of prostate cancer patients, here shares his advice on a variety of subjects: accepting a dangerous disease; selecting the best treatment plan; sexual intimacy; dealing with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems and when to use medications for these; and more. Roth demonstrates just how important one's emotional life is in battling cancer. He provides a road map for patients, bringing clarity during an emotionally confusing time, while at the same time simplifying the decision process and providing strategies to cope. VERDICT Highly recommended to prostate cancer patients and their families, although other cancer patients would benefit from the work, too.-Scott Vieira, Rice Univ. Lib., Houston © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Cancer and its treatment inflict a physical, emotional, and psychological cost. Roth, a psychiatrist who works at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, effectively zooms in on the emotional toll of prostate cancer, which includes anger, fear, frustration, isolation, regret, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Roughly one-third of patients with prostate cancer deal with substantial psychological difficulties, including anxiety and depression. Sometimes spouses also feel like patients in the process. Roth writes about coping and relaxation techniques, psychotherapy, and a variety of medication options for men struggling with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer, side effects of treatment, or a recurrence of the disease. Treatment choices, such as radical prostatectomy surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and active surveillance (no invasive treatment), are briefly discussed. Worries that men may have about the disease and its complications, such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems, are ably addressed. Grieving, marital relationships, and PSA anxiety (a dread of rising blood levels of the prostate-specific antigen) are thoughtfully considered. Roth offers a first-rate overview of how best to respond to a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Men, generally, have a different emotional makeup from women. To what extent this is biological vs. cultural remains controversial, but some research suggests a bidirectional relationship of influence. These emotional differences shape how men approach their health and respond to illness, particularly a life-threatening cancer. To make matters worse, prostate cancer and its treatment jeopardizes male sexual performance, which is often an important factor in how men define their masculinity. Roth (clinical professor & attending psychiatrist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr.), who treats the emotional needs of prostate cancer patients, here shares his advice on a variety of subjects: accepting a dangerous disease; selecting the best treatment plan; sexual intimacy; dealing with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems and when to use medications for these; and more. Roth demonstrates just how important one's emotional life is in battling cancer. He provides a road map for patients, bringing clarity during an emotionally confusing time, while at the same time simplifying the decision process and providing strategies to cope. VERDICT Highly recommended to prostate cancer patients and their families, although other cancer patients would benefit from the work, too.—Scott Vieira, Rice Univ. Lib., Houston