Be a Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment (Paperback)

by M.D. Vladimir Lange (Author)
Key Phrases: axillary lymph node dissection, reconstructed breast, American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Breast Area

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
"You have breast cancer." After the initial shock of diagnosis, women are faced with myriad questions about where to go and what to do next. Lange, a Harvard Medical School-trained physician who experienced his wife's battle with the disease, has written an especially user-friendly book for women seeking answers and a measure of hope. Based on his video and CD-ROM programs (Lange, 1997), Be a SurvivorTM follows the stages of treatment and recovery, offering a balanced, accessible text; highlighted topic boxes; excellent, detailed illustrations; and checklists of questions for doctors ("Could you give me the names of specialists you think I should see?"). There are informative sidebars and inspirational photos and quotes from survivors on almost every page. Similar to John Link's The Breast Cancer Survival Manual (LJ 3/1/98), Lange's work also covers reconstruction, alternative therapies, clinical trials, and life after breast cancer. The book ends with a lengthy resource list, a glossary, and an index. Be a SurvivorTM should be the first book women reach for in developing strategies to fight perhaps the biggest battle of their lives.?Bette-Lee Fox, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
... featuring videos, DVDs, Spanish versions of the program.. visuals help illustrate important concepts. This user-friendly [version] is long overdue. -- Terry Ratner, RN, MFA – NurseWeek Magazine

... the latest information about choosing health care providers, diagnosis and treatment, and recovery. ..outstanding resource for consumer health/cancer collections. -- Barbara Bibel – CAPHIS – Consumer & Patient Health Information Section

..cancer treatment can often be intimidating...the book uses more than 150 illustrations to make the message simple and clear. -- NCBC – Breast Center Bulletin – September 2005

Dr. Lange’s personal experience made [it] like getting information from a friend who wants to help you make well-informed decisions. -- Carolyn Vachani, RN, MSN, AOCN – OncoLink Library

This excellent resource gets better with age. The 3rd edition includes DVD of images of procedures and stories from survivors. -- Bette-Lee Fox – Managing Editor/Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Lange Productions; 4 Revised edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966361067
• ISBN-13: 978-0966361063
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #832,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best and most complete book on breast cancer., November 2, 1999

By	Renee Gaines ([e-mail]) (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be A Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment (Paperback)

If you can only afford to buy one book on breast cancer than this is the one!

This book is packed full of beautiful graphics and pictures of real breast cancer patients and their stories. A true and sensitive approach of their journey with breast cancer.

The medical details presented in this book reveal breast cancer treatment in an easy to understand and concise manner. The medical information is technically accurate and explicit. No book on breast cancer gives as much information in such a concise and precise presentation.

This book deals with all phases of a "breast cancer diagnosis". Included are chapters that highlight how a person deals with the feelings of a breast cancer diagnosis, how to share the news with loved-ones, friends and co-workers, how to create a supportive network, gathering the information needed to make informed decisions, and how to actively participate in the treatment plan.

There is clear information on breast anatomy, cancer cell growth, biopsy, diagnosis and staging, surgical treatment, reconstruction options, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and of course, hormonal therapy. This book also has actual pictures of post-surgical breasts and the results of reconstruction. There is also a chapter about complementary and alternative treatments to assist the patient in battling cancer. The final chapters focus on life after cancer and a special section for your partner.

I recommend this book as a must to every person I know who is facing the challenges of breast cancer, breast surgery and finally for life after cancer.

Beautifully done. Parents of pre-teens and teenagers will find it helpful in explaining this disease to their children.

This book is a companion to an award winning CD-ROM that gives the patient the opportunity to trek on a virtual tour of breast cancer!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Only Buy One Book...., February 16, 2001

By	Elaine E. Wisley "wisley2000" (Troy, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be A Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment (Paperback)

A little over 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 3 lobular breast cancer. I was given this book shortly after the diagnosis by a nurse in the hospital where I work. It is the nuts and bolts of breast cancer, from the staging to the procedures with clear drawings, specific detailed information, and personal notations from women who have been where we are. It went everywhere with me-from chemo to radiation and the multiple surgeries I had. With this information, I had to face very few surprises. The drains left in place after the mastectomy are explained in detail. Radiation is presented clearly and realistically. There are photographs and drawing of how the chest looks after a mastectomy. The book takes some of the fear out of cancer treatment and replaces it with knowledge and advice. if you can only afford one book on the subject of breast cancer, this is the one I would recommend.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A necessity for the newly diagnosed woman., November 6, 2001

By	"charlie4" (St. Thomas, VI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be A Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book, packed with information, in a very easy to read format. There are 12 chapters:
Facing Breast Cancer; Breast Cancer Basics; Diagnosis and Staging; Surgery; Reconstruction; Radiation; Chemo; Hormonal Therapy; alternative treatments; Clinical Trials; Life after Cancer; A guide for your partner. Each chapter explains what the chapter is about, e.g. What is chemo? How is it given? How it Works. Side Effects. Common Chemo drugs.
This book is unique in that it has testimonials throughout from women, and their partners. It also has terrific drawings. I purchased a LOT of books when I was diagnosed. This was the book that I went to during my chemo and before surgery, to really find out what was going on. It is difficult to know what questions to ask your oncologist or surgeon, when everything is new. This book helps you prepare and should give you the confidence to make treatment decisions about your life. Highly, highly recommended.