Customer Reviews

After the Cure: The Untold Stories of Breast Cancer Survivors

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book fills a very important void. As a psychologist working with many breast cancer survivors, I have witnessed the harm that occurs when women report disturbing symptoms, and are unable to find validation that these symptoms are real, and are, indeed, associated with breast cancer treatment. We know that human resilience is enhanced when the person suffering is able to share her experience with others. Knowing that she is not alone, and that she is not imagining the symptoms, will certainly enhance a woman's willingness to share. Rather than purely theoretical information, the book provides personal stories of numerous women. Not only do their stories illuminate common physical symptoms, but also, the emotional experience of having these symptoms, and of having breast cancer. My hope is that these first person accounts will influence researchers to examine the side effects of treatment. Until we find ways to avoid the side effects, we can, at the very least, validate the reality that breast cancer survivors endure.

The authors have treated the women, and the subject, with remarkable sensitivity. The book is extraordinarily engrossing. I highly recommend the book to women undergoing breast cancer treatment, to their family members and friends. And I strongly encourage the health care professionals to read the book, and consider sharing it with their patients.

I read this book as a spouse of a cancer survivor (my wife) who recovered from Hodgkins. I didn't realize the format of the book was really quotes from cancer survivors. Overall, I thought the book did a good job at capturing the sentiments of breast cancer survivors, and is a good resource to bring survivors out of the emotional isolation that comes with being around hospitals.

That being said I thought there was a lot of quotes of resentment and anger towards the medical community - justified, to be sure - but which I do not think are healthy attitudes for people recovering from cancer. One woman describes a response to her friend who said cancer is a "blessing". "So then finally I said to her, 'You know, I have you on my prayer list. I pray you get cancer so you see the wonderful happiness and goodness that comes out of this'".

I'm pulling this quote from the entire book to give you it's more cynical side. Obviously there are good parts of the book - Chapters 3 and 4 in particular, which talk about healthy recovery.