About the Book
"The road ahead is yours to travel. Parts of the future may seem clear, some of it will be uncertain, either way, it belongs to you. We can't always choose what comes our way. But we can choose how we respond."
It's tough living with a diagnosis of prostate cancer. While the disease has one of the highest survival rates of any cancer, the side-effects of treatment can be life-long and take a heavy toll on men's mental health.
Of the nearly 230,000 Australian men who are living in the aftermath of a diagnosis, many will experience anxiety and depression, sometimes long-term. Not all will seek help for their mental health needs.
So too for those who know them and love them - life is often never the same.
In this brand new edition you will find practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety, improve health and wellbeing, navigate tough challenges, and to find a sense of ease about the situation in which you find yourself.
Written by one of the world's foremost experts in the psychology of cancer, it is structured so that you can choose whatever chapter seems most relevant to your present situation. It has been updated since its original release in 2013 with new personal stories and additional chapters.
The book shares personal stories and insights from Australian men and their partners in plain-speaking style, offering emotional comfort and inspiration. While your experience of prostate cancer is uniquely your own, Facing the Tiger reveals the wisdom of others who have already walked the path.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Facing the Tiger
Chapter 2
'Why me?' On Being Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
Chapter 3
'Me too!' On Loving Someone With Prostate Cancer
Chapter 4
'We're in this together'
Chapter 5
How to Make Decisions You can Live With
Chapter 6
Sex: 'What now?'
Chapter 7
'I think therefore I am!' (cogito ergo sum)
Chapter 8
De-Stressing - How to Look After
Yourself and Keep Well
Chapter 9
Solving Problems After Treatment
Chapter 10
Getting Unstuck
Definition: freed or loosened from being fastened
Chapter 11
Grace Under Fire
Chapter 12
Suvivorship
Appendix
About the Author :
Professor Suzanne Chambers AO is one of the world's foremost experts in the psychology of cancer. With a distinguished 25-year career in health psychology, her expertise has been deepened by professional leadership roles in cancer control, research, and higher education, where her work has been praised for its impact on patient recoveries. She is a registered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society's College of Health Psychology. Suzanne was appointed an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2018 for distinguished service to medical research particularly in the area of psycho-oncology and community health through patient care strategies to assist men with prostate cancer.
Review :
I thoroughly endorse Facing the Tiger as being essential reading for any man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his partner, and his medical personnel. The psychosocial effects from the management of this disease has long represented one of the seriously unmet needs. - Peter Dornan AM, Physiotherapist, writer, sculptor, 2020 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland - citation 'Men's Health Advocate'.; Being diagnosed with prostate cancer begins a journey no man -- or his partner -- wishes to take. But if fate finds you on it, Professor Suzanne Chambers' book will guide you. In clear and approachable prose and with real-world stories, Facing the Tiger not only points out the twists and turns, it also gives you practical advice on how to become a stronger, more confident man, a more supportive and effective partner. I highly recommend it. - Mark Lazenby, PhD, Fellow of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and of the American Academy of Nursing; Professor of Nursing and Philosophy, University of Connecticut, USA.; This book raises psychosocial help to a new level for all prostate cancer patients. Inclusion and empathy form the spine of this helpful guidebook for emotional support. Facing the Tiger is required reading for all men with prostate cancer. - Darryl Mitteldorf, LCSW, Director, Malecare Cancer Support, New York, NY; In Facing the Tiger Suzanne Chambers brings her expertise as a psychologist who has helped people deal with cancer together with the experience of men, their partners and families who have had to deal with a prostate cancer diagnosis. In doing so I believe that Suzanne has provided a resource in which many men and their families will find comfort and reassurance that others have managed to deal with the challenges presented by a diagnosis of prostate cancer. - Prof. Alan McNeill, Consultant Urological Surgeon (Western General Hospital Edinburgh), Hon. Professor in the School of Engineering and physical Sciences Heriot Watt University, Trustee of Prostate Scotland; This wonderful book is written by one of the world leaders in prostate cancer psychology research. Facing the Tiger mixes evidence-based research with practical techniques to cope with the psychological diagnosis of prostate cancer. It also eloquently outlines the potential physical impact of prostate cancer progression or treatment side effects and provides important practical advice on management strategies. I strongly recommend this book for all men and partners faced with the diagnosis of prostate cancer. - Associate Professor John Yaxley, Wesley Urology Clinic, University of Queensland Department of Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Brisbane Australia; Suzanne Chambers has been a long-time world leader in psychosocial prostate cancer. Facing the Tiger is an exceptional offering that will significantly advance the knowledge of men (and their partners) who encounter prostate cancer. Threaded through patient and partner experiences are practical strategies for recognizing and dealing effectively with the challenges that inevitably come with prostate cancer. Informed by world leading research this book is a must have easy- to-read resource that will inform and empower all who are exposed to prostate cancer. - John Oliffe, PhD, Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Men's Health Promotion, University of British Columbia; Suzanne brings with her many diverse voices of men living with prostate cancer and their loved ones, to share their stories. Facing the Tiger is not a medical textbook about cancer, this is a book about people affected by cancer who have so much more to share than just their cancer diagnosis. The suggestions have broad applicability: how to grapple with difficult decisions, clarify your priorities, connect, and belong. As the book points out, they are "what people with cancer have been asking for and doing themselves". Now, with Suzanne's expert help, the journey is clear! - Professor Bogda Koczwara AM, Medical Oncologist and Cancer Survivorship Researcher, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; Facing the Tiger addresses prostate cancer from the patient's perspective. It provides critical information empowering men to make personal choices based on their individual perspectives and priorities, enabling them to choose their best path moving forward. The combination of evidence-based guidance with diverse personal stories makes for easy reading, with practical tips to empower patients to rationally choose a treatment option. This is a highly recommended resource for men with prostate cancer and those close to them. - David Nicol, Chief of Surgery, Consultant Urological Surgeon, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Professor of Surgical Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research, UK
