Preface

The medical terms "supportive and palliative care" and "quality of life" in oncology refer to the two branches of medicine that address the emotional, social, ethical, spiritual, and treatment needs of cancer patients and their families, relatives, and healthcare providers. Additionally, the terms refer to the broader fields of palliative care and medicine that focus on helping individuals (sick and healthy) cope with the unpleasant side effects of cancer and its treatment and the proper way to enhance or maintain quality of life at an acceptable level.

Maintaining or enhancing cancer patients' quality of life is just as crucial as whatever survival boost a pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment may offer. Moreover, increased quality of life makes it more likely that patients and their families will stick with their treatments and that recovery will improve.

This book focuses on palliative and supportive care and quality of life to assist physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and researchers in improving their knowledge, awareness, and practice in these areas. It provides up-to-date information and studies focused on these two aspects as they pertain to cancer patients.

> **Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan** Department of Pharmacy, Al-Rafidain University College, Baghdad, Iraq

**1**

Section 1

Quality of Life among Cancer

Patients

Section 1
