American Cancer Society's Informed Decisions: The Complete Book of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Covering everything from cancer causes and risks, screening and diagnostic tests, and treatment strategies to coping tips and quality of life issues, a comprehensive guide for anyone with cancer provides crucial resources to deal with their illness. 75,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.

When the doctor says you have cancer, what is your reaction? Probably fear, perhaps even panic. When he then says you have, specifically, T-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia, that may sound like so many words in a foreign language. The American Cancer Society proffers this book to help you respond as a rational, informed person. It explains the language of cancer and basic screening, diagnostics, and tests for cancer. It considers who gets cancer, when they get it, and if it is known, why, then turns to treatment strategies and pain management, which are discussed at length, always clearly and sensitively; some of the best sections are on coping with the various aspects of living that cancer affects. After these expository sections comes a 170-page, alphabetical "Encyclopedia of Common and Uncommon Cancers." Each entry in it explains who is at risk for that type of cancer and the tests, signs and symptoms, treatments, survival prospects, and special needs associated with it and concludes with excellent counsel on what to "Ask About" the particular disease (indeed, the book stresses throughout the importance of asking questions until satisfactory answers are given). Appendixes list specialized hospitals and institutions and sources of further information and explain how to obtain cancer information online. William Beatty

Authored by the former chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society and two medical journalists, this wonderful contribution to cancer literature defines cancer, discusses treatment options and coping strategies, describes advancing illness and special needs, and provides an encyclopedia of common and uncommon cancers. Appendixes include directories of resources and cancer information online. Also furnished are questions for patients to ask their caregivers and information on how to deal with the healthcare system. Mallin Dollinger's Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy (Andrews & McMeel, 1994. 2d ed.) encompasses more information about individual cancers; it also includes additional therapies, such as laser surgery and hyperthermia, not found here. However, the currency of the information and the American Cancer Society's name will make this an essential complement to Dollinger.
-?Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa, Fla.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.