Women's Cancers: How to Prevent Them, How to Treat Them, How to Beat Them - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0897931025 ISBN 13: 9780897931021

Publisher: Hunter House, Incorporated, 1993

Synopsis

A reliable, empowering guide for anyone concerned about the unique issues surrounding women's cancers
-- This new edition includes a new chapter on lung cancer, the leading cause of death from cancer in women

Empowerment and information are key for anyone facing this prevalent women's health issue. The authors, both oncology nurses with more than 50 years of experience between them, set out to help women become more knowledgeable and assertive in seeking their own healthcare.

In sensitive and honest language, Women's Cancers addresses breast, cervical, ovarian, uterine, and lung cancer. It discusses the issues that arise with their diagnosis, and examines medical treatments and complementary therapies. The authors analyze cancer statistics and pinpoint high-risk groups, then teach what each woman can do to lower her risk. New information in the second edition includes:
-- The latest screening guidelines and diagnostic tests
-- Information on the breast cancer gene and what its discovery means for women
-- Recent cancer-prevention findings
-- What to expect from changes in the healthcare and insurance industries

With few books available on cancers that uniquely affect women, Women's Cancers provides accurate, comprehensive information that can make a difference to women, their families, and their healthcare providers.

About this title

Review

Presented in straightforward, textbook fashion by two nurses--one a survivor of breast cancer and the other a daughter of a cancer patient--Women's Cancers is an easy-to-use resource guide designed to help women diagnosed with or at risk for lung, colorectal, breast, pelvic, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, vulvar, and rare gynecologic cancers. The book begins with a simple overview of potential causes for cancer, explaining how it spreads once contracted.

The authors provide guidelines for detecting a change in one's body: "For me, it was finding a tiny lump in my breast. Something was different. What did it mean?" The importance of early detection and the three phases of the diagnostic process--detection, diagnosis, and staging and grading--are included, along with explanations of common tests used to detect cancers, including mammograms, Pap smears, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The authors provide information to help readers find the right team of doctors to both beat cancer and recover afterwards. Alternative methods of healing are also addressed--such as herbal therapy--as are psychological, physical and spiritual approaches. Sidebars show the side effects to expect from certain drugs, and questions to ask your physician, such as, "Should I get a prescription for a progestin along with estrogen replacement therapy?" While some areas are more general than others, Women's Cancers includes enough details overall to qualify as a comprehensive resource. --Cate Bick

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Cancer is a thoroughly nasty disease-and the conventional medical treatments for it will not win any popularity prizes either. It is a tradeoff: if we choose to undergo the discomfort of a cancer treatment now, it is because we think there is a good chance we will be better off in the long run. The therapies we have now for cancer are tolerable, and may be worth enduring if they cure the disease or make it better.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hunter House, Incorporated
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0897931025
• ISBN 13: 9780897931021
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1