Useful publications
Adult framework
The much-awaited Framework for adult cancer nursing is aimed at practitioners, leaders, specialist educators and researchers.
It presents a UK-wide snapshot of cancer care provision today and highlights progress in practice, research and education. There’s an overview of current and future priorities, and examples of best practice that support the Department of Health and other policies. It offers guidance for developing and implementing cancer care services, with practical recommendations.
Order your copy from RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 (quoting publication code 001 305).
It’s a guy thing: New health guide uses car manual format to target male audience
Cancer is the biggest killer of men in the UK. Given men’s tendency to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, alcohol misuse and poor diet, as well as an aversion to attending GPs to report suspicious symptoms, the increased risk of developing and dying from the disease shouldn’t be too surprising.
But, according to the Men’s Health Forum, it does demonstrate the need for gender specific and male sensitive cancer programmes.
To accompany the third annual National Men’s Health Week, the MHF launched a briefing paper (available on the MHF website) that summarises some of the key current issues in male cancer prevention and includes a five point Action Plan. The Action Plan is directed largely at primary care trusts because the MHF believes that the greatest potential for improvement lies in locally determined provision.
The Forum has also produced a male health guide: Cancer: any age, any time. Recognising that men are more likely to look after their cars better than their own bodies, this innovative, practical and down-to-earth manual is produced in the same format as the Haynes car owners’ manual series, familiar to most men.
The book joins a series already including The man manual, The sex manual and The baby manual, all offering comprehensive, useful information from and for a male perspective. The books are available from bookshops or direct from Haynes Publishing on 01963 442030 or at www.haynes.co.uk
Surviving cancer: a resource for men
The Men's Health Forum, established in 1994 to meet the health needs of men and to tackle the issues and inequalities affecting the health and well-being of boys and men in England and Wales, has produced an innovative and engaging booklet, entitled: The cancer survival guide.
Clever design
Producing the content in the format of the Haynes repair book format – familiar to anyone who has tinkered with a car engine, or who remembers their dad doing so – means that serious concepts are presented in a more immediate and accessible manner to many readers.
At the moment, free copies are available for distribution to male cancer survivors; please visit the Men's Health Forum website in order to find out more about the manual and how to order copies.
Alternatively, a pdf version of the booklet, which includes chapters about exercise and eating as well as loneliness and isolation and grieving, can be accessed and downloaded.