Positive Oncology
An Optimistic Approach to the Big C
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This book uses positive psychology principles and aims to provide simple, achievable strategies, with an optimistic emphasis on what can be done to help navigate through a life threatening illness. By paying more attention to choice, perspective and language you can practice strengthening your mind to allow development of coping strategies. Cancer is a common occurrence in our lives these days. Most people know someone who has been affected by it. Rising overall incidence of cancer is being met with rapid advances in treatments. The result is that there are increasing numbers of people surviving cancer or living longer with cancer. I feel there is a lack of emphasis on psychological rehabilitation during and after treatment. Having cancer predisposes you and your loved ones to greater risks of developing anxiety, depression and possibly even a post-traumatic stress disorder. For those people going through oncology treatment this book offers strategies to develop mindset and resilience. Better coping strategies can be practiced and learnt. Greater wellbeing can be achieved along the way. Modern Western medicine is the gold standard for current cancer treatment. With the necessary emphasis on saving lives the ancient wisdom of the connections between mind and body have been overshadowed. Mind and body are inextricably linked but conventional medical treatments for cancer focus predominantly on drugs, surgery and radiotherapy to heal the body. This book provides an integrative approach designed to be used as an adjunct to conventional treatments. There is a strong correlation between mind strength and body strength. Positive psychology can help reduce your stress levels, release healing endorphins and supercharge your immune system’s response to cancer. Modern science has shown us that the mind has the power to heal. The mind controls the brain and the brain can influence the body even at a cellular level. The aim of this approach is to assist people to boost wellbeing and your internal healing capacity by using your very own master controller, your mind. Topics covered in this succinct self-help book are: • Acknowledge Your Grief • Choose Not to Let Your Illness Define You • Make Your Cancer a Project • De-stress Your Life • Harness Your People Power • Link With Your Loved Ones • Take Control of Your Thoughts • Use the Power of Your Placebo • Learn the Action of Distraction • Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude • Tone Down the Fear Factor • Reframe Your Mindset • Stay in the Moment • Stretch and Move Your Body • Sleep Tight • Set Goals for the Future • Work Towards Post-traumatic Growth • Identify your Ikigai • Return of the Big C • Survival Against the Odds • Positive Oncology Exercises
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About the Book
Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the most shocking challenges a person can face. In Positive Oncology: An Optimistic Approach to the Big C, author Sue Mackey draws on her personal experience with cancer and combines this with positive psychology strategies, evidence of mind-body connections, and wisdom from ancient cultures to provide a guide to increasing coping skills and resilience. Her Positive Oncology approach is filled with optimism for harnessing the power of one’s mind to achieve greater well-being and purpose in the face of life-threatening illness.
Praise for Positive Oncology
Wow, was my first reaction when I read Positive Oncology: An Optimistic Approach to the Big C! This is a powerful and valuable resource that allows and acknowledges grief, fear, anger, and sadness and offers simple strategies to help move through these phases on the way to recovery and wellness. I will highly recommend this gem to all of my patients.
Dr. Karen White, Medical Oncologist
Person-centered care has become a primary goal in modern medicine. A vital first step is listening to the voice of our patients. A second is to provide tools that aid resilience. This book offers both. Written in a clear voice from a survivor of cancer with an extensive history in positive psychology, it provides history, lessons from different cultures, and simple advice. It is written for cancer, but could offer support in any health environment where people find themselves vulnerable in the face of serious illness.
A/Prof Neil Orford, Intensive Care Specialist
About the Author
Sue Mackey runs a large psychology practice in Geelong, Australia, with her husband Chris, who is a clinical psychologist and author. She has studied positive psychology and formerly worked as a nurse in intensive care including more than ten years as a nurse educator. Sue has three children and a schnoodle.