Miller, an oncologist and director of the Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Program, presents a unique and indispensable book for women facing breast cancer, which features individual chapters written by medical experts and breast cancer survivors. Asserting that knowledgeable people make different choices, for different reasons, Miller's overarching message is that each woman is unique, as is her experience with this life-threatening disease. Because there are so many potential scenarios—based upon the tumor's size, the stage of cancer, etc.—treatment options vary, and women must decide which route to take in a timely fashion while simultaneously confronting their fears. Miller's approach provides the reader with the sense that she's had a private and unhurried consultation with each specialist: medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons. In addition the book includes personal accounts of survivors who have faced an array of experiences, from the woman whose mammogram reveals a lump just weeks before her wedding to the breast cancer statistician who is diagnosed with the very disease she is studying. This collection will help to fortify women making tough choices, offering invaluable information along with hope.
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Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
"Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment" is exactly what it promises. It provides the reader with succinct, objective and comprehensive information, as well as the individual guidance and helpful opinions of highly experienced breast cancer treatment specialists.
This is a thoughtfully constructed and remarkably instructive book that does not talk down to patients. It is written by medical and surgical experts in clear and specific language that is understandable to patients, their families, to interested lay readers as well as family practice doctors and other medical service providers who may wish to brush up on the latest treatment concepts and choices in breast cancer.
The reader is also provided not only with numerous, clear illustrations, but reports by patients themselves about their own experiences and perspectives which put a human face on cancer.
In short, this book provides the comprehensive views of medical and surgical specialists as well as fellow patients who communicate meaningfully with you, the interested reader. This 400 page volume is not only a paperback bargain, but an educational public service for patients, their caring friends and families, or for anyone humanly involved or interested in this all too common cancer.
M.Heller, M.D. Haverford, PA
