American Cancer Society: Women and Cancer: A Thorough and Compassionate Resource for Patients and Their Families - Softcover

Runowitz M.D., Carolyn; Petrick M.D., Jeanne; Gansler M.D., Ted

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0679778144 ISBN 13: 9780679778141

Publisher: Villard, 1999

Synopsis

From  America's leading cancer authority comes a patient's advocacy book for women with breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer--and their families--that offers medical ex-pertise, practical advice, and emotional support.

Breast, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers are the four most common cancers among women, with over 254,000 newly diagnosed cases in 1998. Recognizing that the survival rate is significantly higher when these diseases are detected early and treated appropriately, the American Cancer Society, the nation's leader in cancer research, education, and rehabilitation, and Dr. Carolyn D. Runowicz, Dr. Jeanne A. Petrek, and Dr. Ted S. Gansler, three of America's preeminent experts on breast, cervical, endo-metrial, and ovarian cancer and cancer education, have come together to write the most comprehensive resource for patients and their families to turn to.
        This book contains the most up-to-date information about these related diseases, from step-by-step advice about what to do when confronted with a diagnosis of one of these cancers to the latest medical facts, treatments, and procedures. Women and Cancer provides patients with the latest information about the risks and benefits of new drug therapies, radiation, and surgical procedures. But, most important, this book approaches the topic from the patient's perspective, providing psychological and emotional support throughout. Comprehensive and compassionate, with patient stories and anecdotes women will relate to and feel comfortable with, Women and Cancer addresses the full range of issues that women cancer patients and their families may face.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

Concise, thorough and up-to-date, this American Cancer Society guide offers concrete help to women who have been diagnosed with cancer of the reproductive system. Runowicz (a gynecologic oncologist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City), Petrek (a breast cancer specialist at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Hospital, also in New York), and Gansler (director of health content at the ACS) have a wealth of information and experience to impartthey have arranged it so that women suffering from the first shock of diagnosis and their supporters can find the specifics on their situation, easily absorb the information, and make a plan on how to proceed. The guide, divided into four sections, covers the female organs where most cancers occur (breast, cervix, uterus, and ovaries). For each, the authors explain normal structure and function, detail how cancer occurs, describe in detail diagnosis, testing and staging of the disease, and then treatment. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are still the standards of treatment; hormone therapies relatively new to the arsenal are discussed here, along with realistic information on side effects. Throughout, the language is understandable without oversimplification, the tone is matter-of-fact. An invaluable resources list points readers in the best direction for research into individual situationsfrom medical options (including front-line experimental possibilities) to daily support. This is the best type of self-help: sound information as a starting point for seeking treatment. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Villard
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0679778144
• ISBN 13: 9780679778141
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288