After a cancer diagnosis it's not just life as usual. At a vulnerable time when people with cancer need support and validation of their feelings, often unreasonable demands, either self-imposed or imposed by others, are placed on patients. The goal of psychosocial oncology care is to understand the unique needs and strengths of the patient and family in order to create an individual plan of care that promotes optimal psychological adaptation and functioning throughout the illness. Patients with Cancer: Understanding the Psychological Pain attempts to provide the reader with the necessary information to assist the patient and the patient's family in coping with the diagnosis.