Cancer and Chronic Conditions : Addressing the Problem of Multimorbidity in Cancer Patients and Survivors

This book addresses the growing problem of multimorbidity in cancer patients and survivors with the focus on how to best integrate the effective cancer care with the care of multiple chronic conditions. As cancer is more prevalent in older individuals, many patients with cancer also suffer from other chronic conditions that impact on the uptake, tolerance and outcomes of cancer treatment and their long term mortality and morbidity. In addition, cancer and its treatment increase the risk of future chronic conditions. Readers will examine the prevalence and predictors of chronic conditions in cancer, impact of chronic conditions on screening and treatment, evidence for preventative strategies that address both cancer and chronic conditions, emerging management and care integration strategies and directions for management of multimorbidity in special cancer populations - the very young, the very old and those at the end of life. Authored by clinicians and researchers from diverse expertise including epidemiology, sociology, hematology, medical oncology, palliative care, pharmacy and representing Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada and the Netherlands, the book brings an international perspective to a problem that affects all cancer settings. The book is going to be of interest to diverse professionals interested in cancer control including epidemiologists, public health researchers, policy makers as well as clinicians dealing with cancer patients within specialist cancer and non-cancer and primary care settings.