The continuing success of the VICC's Manual of Clinical Oncology and the continuing refinement of our educational objectives in cancer designed for graduating medical students and young practitioners, cou pled with significant additional knowledge in the cancer field have allIed to the decision to publish a Fourth Edition. The collaboration of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan-American Health Orga nization (PAHO) in our international and regional conferences in cancer education and the development of courses using the Manual as a basic resource have aided further definition of the VICC's role in cancer educa tion throughout the world. Our Revision Committee believes that we have incorporated in this small volume most of the knowledge about cancer which is essential for all students and practioners to know and that we have done so in a clear and concise manner. A large proportion of the material presented herein is devoted to basic aspects, yet presented so that the clinical implications are clear. Although we do not feel that general physicians need to know minor details about all cancers, we feel it is particularly important to be somewhat thorough in our discussions of the more common cancers. We have omitted discussion of the rare cancers, and limited ourselves to the major concepts and princi ples of the less common cancers.

Can health be improved? Can the quality of healthcare be delivered more effectively? Can doctors and other health professionals be better at their job and deliver higher quality of care? The answer to these three questions is "yes", and this book shows how, using existing knowledge the enormous potential for health can be achieved. A key part of improving health, healthcare and quality of life patients and the country is to ensure that those concerned with delivering the service have high standards of education and training. Part of this book is therefore devoted to this topic, using medical education as an example. The outcome of a series of talks and speeches given to a wide variety of audiences this volume represents a personal philosophy about health. It is the product of considerable discussion and interaction between a variety of people, academics, clinicians, public, patients and colleagues within the Department of Health and beyond.

Many people waste a great deal of time writing bids or tenders that are not successful. Even worse, they may succeed in gaining funding for a project or service where the plans and budgeting are poorly thought through in relation to the implementation or application. That can be a very costly mistake if the funding you gain is insufficient but you are stuck with developing the project or service. "Making an Effective Bid" outlines everything you need to know for writing successful bids and tenders. It is full of tips and advice and introduces ideas for building up contacts, setting up networks, organising potential collaborators and avoiding pitfalls. Examples of successful and not-so-successful bids are included to fully illustrate the concepts. With practice, you should become more adept at writing bids and gaining funds that further your work and career. This book is a vital guide for those in health and social care who are required to, or want to, make a bid or tender for resources - for money, work, staff, equipment, research, educational activities or a new service. It will help you to develop a greater understanding of making successful bids, and go on to compose a bid or tender with the essential ingredients to succeed. "This book is for anyone working in health and social care who is required to, or wants to, make a bid or tender for resources- for money, work, people/staff, equipment etc or research, educational activities or a new service. This will include academics, and health and social care personnel. It will help you to develop a greater understanding of how to make a successful bid, and go on to compose a bid or tender with the right ingredients to succeed. So buying the book and spending time reading it should be a great investment." - Ruth Chambers, in the Preface.