Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment: Medical Specialists and Cancer Survivors Tell You What You Need to Know (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) (Paperback)

~ Kenneth D. Miller MD (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Miller, an oncologist and director of the Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Program, presents a unique and indispensable book for women facing breast cancer, which features individual chapters written by medical experts and breast cancer survivors. Asserting that knowledgeable people make different choices, for different reasons, Miller's overarching message is that each woman is unique, as is her experience with this life-threatening disease. Because there are so many potential scenarios—based upon the tumor's size, the stage of cancer, etc.—treatment options vary, and women must decide which route to take in a timely fashion while simultaneously confronting their fears. Miller's approach provides the reader with the sense that she's had a private and unhurried consultation with each specialist: medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons. In addition the book includes personal accounts of survivors who have faced an array of experiences, from the woman whose mammogram reveals a lump just weeks before her wedding to the breast cancer statistician who is diagnosed with the very disease she is studying. This collection will help to fortify women making tough choices, offering invaluable information along with hope. (Jan.)
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Review

"An indispensable resource for any breast cancer patient or a patient's friends and family." -- Olivia Boler, Foreword

"Miller's approach provides the reader with the sense that she's had a private and unhurried consultation with each specialist: medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons... This collection will help to fortify women making tough choices, offering invaluable information along with hope." -- Publishers Weekly

"There is a great deal of very detailed information in this book." -- Sheila Thomas, Consumer Connection

"Dr. Miller has a wealth of experience as a medical oncologist and a keen understanding as a compassionate physician of the difficult choices that face women diagnosed with breast cancer. Miller wisely combines the voices and expertise of breast cancer survivors and the doctors who care for them. This book paves the way for women who want a clear understanding of their options in order to astutely make what may be the most important decisions of their lives." -- Julie K. Silver, M.D., Harvard Medical School, author of After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger

"This excellent book provides just the right mixture of accurate medical information and insight and emotions from breast cancer survivors who share their own experiences. This combination will help women with breast cancer make informed decisions about their medical treatment and will also help them cope with the fears, frustrations, and other emotions of their journey." -- Donald R. Lannin, M.D., Professor of Surgery, Executive Director, Yale--New Haven Breast Center

"More than a standard reference guide... this book arms readers with knowledge, confidence, and hope as they begin their journey from sickness to health." -- American Journal for Nurse Practitioners

"This step-by-step guide offers newly diagnosed patients a path through the complex and often overwhelming array of information and decisions... helpful charts and illustrations accompany clearly presented medical information, all conveyed in an inclusive, supportive tone." -- Jody Rosen Knower, MAMM

"This is a useful book for patients and their families as it provides a good description of treatment options as well as tips from breast cancer survivors." -- Heidi H Richardson, MD, Doody's Review Service

"Appropriate for all women, their family members and friends, physicians, and other care providers... Recommended." -- Choice

"Highly recommended to every woman... and for community library health shelves in general." -- Midwest Book Review

"This fine book achieves the goal of providing clear and relevant medical information and guidance from specialists in order to help patients make treatment decisions. In addition, through the narratives of both patients and physicians, it will likely provide inspiration and hope to women who are confronting the challenge of breast cancer." -- Christina I. Herold, M.D., Informa Healthcare

"Finally -- one-stop reading for any woman facing breast cancer." -- Health for Women

"Well written and very understandable for the lay audience." -- Rachel Benz, RN, BSN, and Karen Meneses, PhD, RN, FAAN, Oncology Nursing Forum, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"A resource that combines medical expertise with emotional insight in a valuable and educational way for women at any stage of the breast cancer journey." -- Women & Cancer magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (January 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801886856
• ISBN-13: 978-0801886850
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #169,518 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The Johns Hopkins Press Health Books Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Helpful and Informative Book, February 18, 2008

By	Dr. M. Heller MD - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment" is exactly what it promises. It provides the reader with succinct, objective and comprehensive information, as well as the individual guidance and helpful opinions of highly experienced breast cancer treatment specialists.

This is a thoughtfully constructed and remarkably instructive book that does not talk down to patients. It is written by medical and surgical experts in clear and specific language that is understandable to patients, their families, to interested lay readers as well as family practice doctors and other medical service providers who may wish to brush up on the latest treatment concepts and choices in breast cancer.

The reader is also provided not only with numerous, clear illustrations, but reports by patients themselves about their own experiences and perspectives which put a human face on cancer.

In short, this book provides the comprehensive views of medical and surgical specialists as well as fellow patients who communicate meaningfully with you, the interested reader. This 400 page volume is not only a paperback bargain, but an educational public service for patients, their caring friends and families, or for anyone humanly involved or interested in this all too common cancer.
M.Heller, M.D. Haverford, PA

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every case is unique, June 20, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

It's a great sign of the times that there has been so much research pushing the advancement of breast cancer research where there are so many treatments available - but it creates another problem in itself where it isn't fully clear which treatment is right for you and your needs. "Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment: Medical Specialists and Cancer Survivors Tell You What You Need to Know" tells you that every case is unique and that there is no one singular correct treatment for the frightening disease. It discusses each of the possibilities and the pros and cons of each. Highly recommended to every women who is fearful and intimidated by the sheer number of options set in front of them, and for community library health shelves in general.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for me., April 19, 2009

By	Mary A. Swaty (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I was a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient a year ago, I found two books that were very useful: Breast Cancer Survival Manual, Fourth Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Woman With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer and Straight Talk About Breast Cancer from Diagnosis to Recovery. 3rd ed. Omaha, Neb. : Addicus Books, 2007. $15.95 new. I prefer either of them to this book, which has so many anecdotes, that the factual information is sort of lost. If you want emotional support, this could be useful. If you want information, not so much.