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Views on the Psychosocial Dimensions of Cancer and Cancer Treatment

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Toward a New Definition of Health

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Mental Health ((CTMH))

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Abstract

My work with children, adolescents, and young adults who have various forms of cancer provides the source materials for this chapter. Their families and those responsible for their medical care receive more of my time as a psychiatrist than do the patients themselves. This distribution of my professional time developed in response to my understanding of the psychological and social effects of cancer as well as to a decision concerning the most potent forces for therapeutic change.

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces Between stars—on stars where no human race is. I have it in me so much nearer home To scare myself with my own desert places.1 -Robert Frost

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Children and Adolescent Services, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, D.C., 20032, USA

    Stephen P. Hersh (Director)

Authors
  1. Stephen P. Hersh
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, U.S Office of International Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    Paul I. Ahmed (Public Health Advisor, Lecturer) (Public Health Advisor, Lecturer)

  2. Department of Health Education, University College, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

    Paul I. Ahmed (Public Health Advisor, Lecturer) (Public Health Advisor, Lecturer)

  3. National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    George V. Coelho (Senior Social Scientist, Office of the Assistant Director for Children and Youth) (Senior Social Scientist, Office of the Assistant Director for Children and Youth)

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© 1979 Plenum Press, New york

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Hersh, S.P. (1979). Views on the Psychosocial Dimensions of Cancer and Cancer Treatment. In: Ahmed, P.I., Coelho, G.V. (eds) Toward a New Definition of Health. Current Topics in Mental Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2991-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2991-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-2993-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2991-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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