The Answer to Cancer [Hardcover]

Carolyn Runowicz (Author), Sheldon Cherry (Author), Dianne Lange (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2004

A Revolution in Cancer Prevention

This urgent, hopeful new book explores the cutting edge in the war against cancer-with exclusive coverage of the most exciting discovery of all: chemopreventive drugs that can actually stop the cancer process from starting

The landmark announcement, five years ago, that tamoxifen could significantly reduce the rate of breast cancer in high-risk women, signaled the dawn of a new era in the battle against cancer. Now two highly respected physicians, one of them a cancer survivor herself, report on the recent dramatic breakthroughs in cancer prevention. Whether the goal is to avoid ever getting cancer, to arrest precancerous changes, or to prevent a recurrence, people will turn to this book for news they can use. The Answer to Cancer:

- Provides the latest information on the new chemopreventive drugs

- Identifies key lifestyle factors that can influence cancer risk-and outline a comprehensive self-care plan

- Evaluates the effectiveness of anti-cancer measures

- Helps readers to conduct their own personal risk assessments

Evidence that it is possible to intervene early to prevent cancer is so strong that the National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring 80 chemoprevention trials. The new information in this book gives us all reason to hope that we are on our way to winning the war against this dreaded disease.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this evidence-based book, husband and wife physicians Runowicz and Cherry suggest we think about cancer the way we've been taught to think about heart disease: as a preventable condition. They believe the "answer to cancer" lies not in early detection, which identifies an existing cancer, but in preventing cancer in the first place. This can often be achieved, they argue, by accurately assessing one's personal cancer risk and by leading a healthy lifestyle. In a nuanced but understandable way, Runowicz and Cherry review how cancer develops, explaining risk factors beyond our control (e.g., genetics, age) and controllable risk factors (e.g., smoking, sun exposure). They examine specific prevention strategies, including chemoprevention, or the use of drugs to prevent cancer, for nine common cancers. Finally, their "Cancer Prevention Plan" outlines steps readers should take, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating fruits and vegetables, and exercising. While these recommendations are nothing new, the idea that they can prevent cancer as well as heart disease and diabetes is novel. Occasionally, the book's enthusiastic tone seems to dismiss the many cancers that can develop in people who have served as models for healthy living. Still, few could argue with the value of taking action to reduce risk.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Dr.Runowicz and Dr. Cherry have done an outstanding job of helping people understand cancer risk. The Answer to Cancer is clearly written, well-organized, and provides practical guidance on screening and preventive measures. Their thorough presentation fills a knowledge gap for the public and should be recommended to all those who are seeking information about what they can do to reduce cancer risk.
Diane Blum, MSW
Executive Director
CancerCare



Finally, an easily readable book full of sound practical strategies that enable people at risk to participate actively in their own well-being. Long overdue!
Peter J. Deckers, MD
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean, UConn School of Medicine




The Answer to Cancer is written by two of the leading experts in the fields of women's health and cancer. They succinctly give us the most up-to -date "why," "wherefore," and "what to do" information about this dreaded disease. If you have ever wondered if you are at risk, or what you can do to protect yourself or your loved ones...read on for the answers!
Judith Reichman, MD
Author of Slow Your Clock Down: The Complete Guide to a Healthy Younger You



Cancer is potentially the most preventable and the most curable of all life-threatening diseases. If every American followed simple prevention and early detection guidelines, hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved every year. The Answer to Cancer is a comprehensive guide to cancer risk factors, preventive strategies, and screening options. This informative guide brings cutting-edge science to life in a way that is engaging and insightful. The wealth of knowledge contained in this volume can help anyone achieve a healthier lifestyle - and a substantially lower cancer risk.
0John R. Seffrin, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
American Cancer Society



Doctors Runowicz and Cherry have taken a complex and diversified disease and accurately described in simple terminology its many innuendos and variances. Cancer terms and phrases are cleverly demystified for each and every reader. The main message of the book regarding personal prevention of cancer is eloquently but, once again, simply outlined.

As national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society, I note that the section of the book on prevention could not be more aligned with the mission of our organization as we join the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association in giving a unified message to the people of our country concerning their health.

As a medical oncologist and a teacher of medical students, I plan to recommend this book as a basic explanation of the disease cancer and its prevention. This endeavor penetrates the most important barrier to the understanding of cancer and its prevention by delivering understandable language to the public.
Ralph B. Vance, M.D., FACP
National President
American Cancer Society
Professor of Medicine
Division of Medical Oncology
University of Mississippi School of Medicine



Well-written, down-to-earth and packed with valuable information, The Answer to Cancer makes the case that prevention truly is the best solution to the cancer problem and helps people take control of their cancer risk. Early chapters put that risk into perspective-many people indeed overestimate their chances of developing or dying of certain cancers. The chapter on chemoprevention-the use of drugs or nutrients to prevent or delay the onset of cancer-is especially valuable. The authors explain the science behind cancer prevention and point out both successes and failures in a balanced fashion, which avoids sensationalism and hype.
Robert C. Young, M.D.
President, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1 edition (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579547303
• ISBN-13: 978-1579547301
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,826,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Future : Cancer Provention, March 31, 2005

By 

ZS, MD (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Answer to Cancer (Hardcover)

As a professional, it is exciting to see this first rate team produce a book that outlines the new era of cancer prevention. The key IS PREVENTION because treatment can only go so far. This is analagous to heart disease but is in its infancy. I recommend this well written, clear and informative book.

ZS, MD

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, July 23, 2005

By 

Vegetarian Pacifist "challenge3XinthenameofJesus" (pray the entire Rosary daily; wear the brown Scapular 24/7: fatima.org) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Answer to Cancer (Hardcover)

1.
I have zero medical background; am a layman.
2.
Await the forthcoming trade paper edition (softcover) which is
due 2005-10-07. This'll save you money over the trade cloth one.
Should your county public library system allow you to RESERVE a
copy of either binding (soft/hard), then find out how to do so;
ask the professionally-trained Librarian (not the checkout clerk)
(print the Amazon page and take it with you to ease the process).
3.
Having encouraged you to get a copy of this timely book, I hasten
to call your attention to what has been said regarding the CAUSE
of the various forms of cancer throughout the 'civilized' world,
as stated by an avatar in India (1926-20XX), Sathya Sai Baba of
Puttaparthi (now at Prasanthi Nilayam, AP 515 134, India). Why a
westerner shopping on amazon.com should consider a living avatar
vis-a-vis the #1 cause of cancer? Because by having a divine view
of mundane matters (debatable premise, admittedly: sathyasai.org)
He can point out from His perspective aspects which we would not
consider to be important. In this case, it is the BONES that stay
within the refined sugar after the process of chemically removing
'impurities' from raw cane (or beet?) that are the number 1 cause
of cancer. He mentions that tobacco and poluution come a distant
second in being causative agents. The bone particles are present
even in so-called brown or turbinado sugar, which is white with
some molasses added back. He suggests the alternative JAGGERY to
sweeten meals without the refined sugars. There's one point which
He typically inserts as a test of backbone: one must decide if a
sweet tooth is more important than one's long-term health. I add
myself that we can exist without factory sugar (uncivilized folks
got along fine without it before white sugar became essential), &
sugar supposedly FEEDS cancer cells that seemingly exist (double
whammy), whereas OXYGEN supposedly kills cancer cells. Forgive me
for throwing in those last two unverified tidbits; nevertheless,
since they seem to directly affect cancer cells (feed/kill), and
since most folks CAN take control over how much sugar and oxygen
enters their system, it seems to me to be worthwhile to tell you.

I regret the say that I haven't the citation from Baba; he stated
the connection between cancer and (refined) sugar in 1981, and it
appeared in a (very difficult to find online!) 'Summer Showers'.
What astonishes me is that devotees of Sai Baba commonly KNOW of
this cause-and-effect, yet nothing is being done to spread word.