This book is about the special problems experienced by young adults with cancer and their parents. It is based on narratives written by the parents of 27 young
adults with cancer, 21 of who subsequently died of their disease. Each chapter covers different problems including independence, the need for normality, sexuality and fertility, as well as the
impact on family life, the siblings, and the parents themselves. Grinyer finishes each chapter with a "reflection", which is a useful synthesis of the material discussed.
This is an important and useful book for a palliative care service to have. As a parent of young adult children, I cannot imagine how one would cope with the agony
and stress suffered by these parents, and to be loaned a book like this would be both useful and a great comfort if I were put in their situation. For palliative care professionals, it is most
important to realize that the problems faced by young adults dying with cancer and their parents are quite different from the usual situation we encounter and require a different approach. For
staff who encounter young adults who are dying infrequently, to be able to delve into this book would be of great assistance in providing appropriate psychosocial care.
Roger Woodruff
Director of Palliative Care, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
(August 2003)
Table of Contents
