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Cancer As a Turning Point: A Handbook for People with Cancer, Their Families, and Health Professionals - Revised Edition

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Psychotherapist Lawrence LeShan has worked with cancer patients for more than thirty-five years and his research has led people with cancer to find new, effective ways to fight for their lives. He has put his findings--full of meaning and purpose--into this revised edition that shows how psychological change, along with medical treatment, mobilizes a compromised immune system for healing. Included is a life-transforming workbook of hands-on exercises designed to help readers evaluate their inner selves and teach them how to get the most out of their immune systems by leading fuller, richer lives.

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 1989

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About the author

Lawrence LeShan

71 books15 followers
Also wrote as Edward Grendon.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Barraclough.
Author 35 books16 followers
June 3, 2015
Many years have passed since this highly readable book by one of the pioneers of psycho-oncology was published, but its message is not out of date. It challenges the narrow "medical model" in cancer care, advocating a more holistic approach in which patients themselves play an active role. Anticipating the large body of research in this field which has been carried out more recently, it relies on individual case histories to illustrate how "singing your own song" can enhance quality of life and perhaps promote physical healing too.
Profile Image for Mary Karpel-Jergic.
410 reviews30 followers
October 6, 2018
The author had a psychotherapeutic practice working with terminal cancer patients. However, 100% of his clients died. "They might look forward to my visits, they might even feel better afterward, but they kept right on dying at the same rate as if I were not involved with them at all. Psychotherapy was making no difference to their survival rate".

So, he changed his practice and discovered an approach that stimulated the patients' immune systems. This book explains how he developed his practice and offers ways in which the reader might apply some of these principles.

"Over and over again I have seen one of two things happen when the total environment of the person with cancer is mobilised for life and his or her inner ecology is thereby changed in a positive way." His patients' lives were prolonged or there were genuine miracles.
Profile Image for Dorena.
242 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2022
I was recommended this book when my mom passed due to cancer, but I wish I had read it while she was still here. It was such a hard journey for me and I wish I would’ve had the guidance this book offered. I recommend this book to anyone. The research behind it and the journal prompts at the end are very useful in truly living the life you enjoy.
Profile Image for Ned.
165 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2017
The book is more of an advice on what to do and it's 50/50 for patients and medical professionals. I find LeShan's "You can fight for your life" book more helpful and better read. I haven't taken the exercises at the end of the book but think that they might be good ones.
Profile Image for Michael Furo.
4 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2019
Fantastic, inspiring re-envisioning of cancer and how hard circumstances can be beautiful and transformative.
Profile Image for mrs e j stringfellow.
54 reviews
January 1, 2024
Im not sure I am entirely comfortable with the idea that cancer can be precipitated by emotions but would say that it should be, if possible, used as a turning point.
Profile Image for Fran.
60 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2013
This book makes a convincing argument of how important a role the mind and our mental state plays in our overall well-being. It provides practical exercises to get to the core of how many of us get stuck, unable to experience the joy and vitality of life. It's not just for those who are fighting illness. In fact, if you're not struggling with disease, and practice some of the ideas in this book, you might even be ahead of the game.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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