Apron Strings: Inheriting Courage, Wisdom and . . . Breast Cancer [Perfect Paperback]

Diane Tropea Greene (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2007

It was no coincidence. Apron Strings is the painful but courageous story of Diane Tropea Greene and her family, a family that was decimated by cancer. Diane later learned that her cancer was caused by the BRCA2 gene mutation for breast cancer, which affected both the women and men in Diane s family including Diane. But knowledge is power, and the lesson of the Tropea family is important for anyone who suspects their family has too many cancer diagnoses to be coincidental.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Apron Strings is the story of a family who has endured the diagnosis and often loss of many of their members to breast cancer and has had to deal with the ramifications of discovering that an inherited gene mutation has caused it. Hopeful and insightful to women (and men, since they inherit the gene as well). --Erna Busch Devereaux, MD, FACS, Breast Surgery Associates, PLCC

Apron Strings is filled with reality, humor, inspiration and hope. It is a story that most women will be able to relate to and benefit from. Well-written and easy to read, addressing what's "really important in life." --Hillary Rutter, LCSW, Director, Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program

Apron Strings is relevant to patients, families and friends who face the diagnosis of breast cancer. I felt as though I was being guided by an informed and dependable friend. The author writes with courage and humanity. I came away from the book with new knowledge about diagnosis and treatment and not least a message of hope. Recommended. --Kim Rozzie, Executive Director, The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education

About the Author

Diane Tropea Greene is a breast cancer survivor and an active volunteer at the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, located in Garden City, New York. She speaks extensively to women s groups about a variety of breast cancer issues, including the subject of genetic breast cancer and genetic testing. Diane has been honored as a "Hero" by the Val Skinner Foundation at its LIFE Event (LPGA Pros In the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) for demonstrating courage in the face of breast cancer and purpose in the fight for a cure. She has been featured in local and national media discussing her family history with breast cancer, including Family Circle magazine, Rosie magazine and New York Newsday. She has also been interviewed for television news stories on ABC-TV, WPIX-TV, News-12 Long Island and WLNY-LI Cable News. Diane was born in The Bronx and grew up in Queens Village, New York. She now resides on Long Island with her husband and two teenage boys.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Rainbow Books, Inc.; 1st edition (June 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568251084
• ISBN-13: 978-1568251080
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,216,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and Informative Book on Inherited Cancer, July 15, 2007

By 

Carla Eggers "Bookaholic" (Rye, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apron Strings: Inheriting Courage, Wisdom and . . . Breast Cancer (Perfect Paperback)

This book is a must-read for anyone dealing with a family disease, especially for those with an inherited one like the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 breast cancer gene mutation. It is well written and shows the bond that ties families together, and the humor and love that sets them apart from other families.
The author of this book gives a brief history of her mother's generation, their life growing up and their courage and wisdom facing a disease (cancer) that would ultimately take her mother and each one of her mother's siblings. She then moves on to her own generation, and with great skill and wisdom describes in detail their fight against the enemy that took their parents, and in many cases, how they survived the ordeal with humor and grace.
Read it, then buy a copy for anyone that is undergoing treatment or the death of a loved one. They will thank you for it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired, July 20, 2007

By 

Marilyn O'Hara (Hicksville, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apron Strings: Inheriting Courage, Wisdom and . . . Breast Cancer (Perfect Paperback)

Apron Strings is an incredible story of a woman who faces many challenges, but takes it into her own hands to do what needs to be done to survive. Written with a realistic and down to earth tone, you can really relate to the author whether you have cancer in your family or not. It is also very informative for anyone suffering from this disease. You will gain an appreciation for what some families go through and what battles are fought against breast cancer, when carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. It will also inspire you when reading of the author's courage to forge ahead through difficult decisions and procedures. A must read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone with a family history of Cancer should read this book., October 9, 2007

By 

Holden NY "Critical Eye" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apron Strings: Inheriting Courage, Wisdom and . . . Breast Cancer (Perfect Paperback)

Loved this book! There is a war on Cancer and this family's story of taking action and keeping hope alive, in the face of tragedy, is awe inspiring. Anyone who is battling cancer, genetically predisposed to cancer or fears a cancer diagnosis should read this book. It is expertly written and to the point. Diane Tropea Greene's story reveals how the past health of your family and a knowledge of modern medicine should heavily influence the choices you make when faced with a life altering disease. Greene shows you the devastation the disease caused within her family and the tough choices her generation was able to make to save their lives, while never losing humor and hope.

What I liked about the book is that it is not preachy and it reveals that there is no ONE answer. Greene shows that action and educating yourself is important when faced with Cancer. How well informed you and your family are can make all the difference in tipping the odds in your favor. I've given this book to friends who have lost family to cancer and are battling Cancer themselves. They have all identified with it and loved it. If you know anyone who has lost someone in their family to Cancer and is not actively going to get themselves checked, this book would be a great place to start a dialogue with them. We've lost too many people to inaction. I hope Dane Tropea Greene's book and the Tropea family will change the way people perceive this disease and the way they and their family manage their health care choices. The only wrong answer is to do nothing.