Customer Reviews

Why Die of Colon Cancer?

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

 

 

Why Die of Colon Cancer? by Francis G. Mackey, M. D., describes, in laymen's' terms, how one can virtually "immunize" oneself and one's loved ones against colon cancer, the second-largest form of cancer-killer that claims 60,000 lives a year. As such, this book is literally a "gift of life." The key: getting a colonoscopy, a painless procedure, every 7 to 10 years (upon reaching 35 if there's a history of colon cancer in one's family, or other risk factors; or, starting at age 40-50 if not).

Written in an engaging, straightforward, highly readable, and conversational tone- and a quick read (the main body is 80 pages)-Why Die? is one of the most important books to read this year for every adult who is 30 and over.

Why Die of Colon Cancer? is important and timely because it debunks as inadequate, misleading, and a waste of time and money the four other unpleasant colon-cancer diagnostic procedures that still remain widely recommended: the digital rectal examination, the fecal occult blood test, the sigmoidoscopy, and the barium-enema x-ray. Read this book, and you'll be armed with all the facts you'll need to talk your doctor out of these hugely flawed and dreaded procedures! As one who has had an uncomfortable and useless sigmoidoscopy and a painless and reliable colonscopy, I guarantee this knowledge is worth the price of the book alone!

The book (a) describes the colonoscopy, the procedure you should ask -- no, insist-- of your doctor; (b) persuades you or a loved one to get a colonoscopy, if you or (s)he is reluctant to get it; and (c) relates first-hand testimony by a very knowledgeable, insightful and compassionate doctor-patient-author of the consequences of colon cancer and how to cope with them. It is an excellent resource for those who have been struck by this terrible disease, and includes 33 pages of a glossary and appendices with reviews of helpful books and web sites.

Executives, doctors, and regulators of the health care delivery and health insurance fields will find Why Die? invaluable. It makes the medical AND dollars-and-cents case for the broad adoption of colonscopy screening by all health maintenance and care organizations. It also makes a great hand-out to patients who need colonscopies but are resisting recommendations.

Dr. Mackey wanted to make sure his last act of medical careŠ this book, a gift of life for us allŠ was published before he died of colon cancer. Please accept his gift. No one need die of this disease as he did March 17, 2001.

Dr. Mackey offers a wealth of practical, informed, and first-hand advice on how to avoid a basically avoidable disease - colon cancer. From his own experiences and medical knowledge, he talks sensitively, but persuasively about the power each of us has to take charge of our lives. If nothing else, I learned two things: One, that a colonoscopy is far more preferable in the proper course of prevention of colon cancer than a Sigmoid by itself (or even in combination with anything else). And two, in today's time-pressed and dollars-pressed medical environment, it is extremely important for each of us to ask questions of our medical professionals and to learn as much as possible about the diseases they diagnose in us and the efficacy of the various options that exist to combat them. But most importantly, the best way to combat cancer or most any other disease is education, communication, and prevention.

About the Author: There is a fairly long history of Dr. Mackey's life and career already on this site. My own knowledge of Francis Mackey is more personal. He is a resident of the same retirement community in which my mother lives. I met Dr. Mackey at the retirement community. I know him as an extraordinarily caring and compassionate physician. Although retired, Francis is always available to offer his caring support to all. This book arose out of Dr. Mackey's own battles with colon cancer and is his gift to all of us - women and men who have been diagnosed with colon cancer, their wives, children, and friends.

Who Should Read this Book: This is a book for men and women over 50 and their families and friends. In my view, medical students, nurses, and physicians should also read it.

What You'll Learn: About the Normal and Not-So-Normal Colon - The book begins with a description of the normal colon, along with a helpful diagram. Dr. Mackey then goes on to explain the importance of polyps, the "culprit" in colon cancer. In easy-to-understand language, Dr. Mackey explains the various kinds of polyps, where they are likely to be located in the colon, and the various tests to reveal polyps. Later in the book, Dr. Mackey makes a strong case for the use of a colonoscopy. Currently, many health insurance plans don't cover colonoscopies, finding them too expensive. The book argues persuasively that the failure to cover colonoscopies not only results in unnecessary deaths but also costs all of us more over the long run. In chapters 5-8, Dr. Mackey recounts his own experience with surgery and chemotherapy. These very personal chapters contain invaluable information for those fighting colon cancer. Here we learn about the importance of personal hygiene, dealing with depression, fighting pain, the need for exercise, checking your medications, the use of complementary medicines, prayer, etc.

Reviewer's Summary: Why Die of Colon Cancer? is a well-researched and clearly written book. Those of us who follow Dr. Mackey's advice will no doubt live free of colon cancer. For many of us who have health insurance that will not cover a colonoscopy and who do not have the personal means to pay for the test, this book is a call-to-action.