Customer Reviews

Complete Idiot's Guide to Living with Breast Cancer

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This is a must have book that everyone needs to have. If you have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer or have a friend who has been diagnosed. You will love this book. I'am a 2 1/2 year survivor and I was amazed at the broad scope of information that was in this book. I really wished it had been in the bookstores when I was first diagnosed. The ladies who wrote it did a wonderful job at putting it in an easy to read format that everyone can understand. And I loved all the little personal comments from other Breast Cancer survivors! It's not a book quoted by doctors alone. But by people like you and me who have been through all the treatments and have survived telling it like it is. It takes you step by step on what you will go through in each treatment. And how to deal with everything that is happening to you. What a wonderful way of letting others know that it is all right to feel the way they feel on a daily basis of living with and through Breast Cancer. And I was amazed at all the Resource information. All the phone numbers and addresses for everything you might need along the way. They really did cover every aspect of dealing with Breast Cancer. If you have a friend who has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer this would make a perfect gift. And you would be letting them know you cared and that you are there for them through it all.

Sincerely, Margaret

"So much to learn--so little time--and I can't even find information on the subject of breast cancer." Those were my thoughts almost 13 years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. How I wish there had been something of the caliber of THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO LIVING WITH BREAST CANCER at that time. This book should be in the hands of anyone facing a breast cancer diagnosis, as well as their families and friends. It includes many practical facets of dealing with the disease. To me, the sentence which best sums up the importance of what this book provides the reader is found on page 37--"Knowledge is power, so it's important to be an imformed consumer." Frequently I receive calls from women (and sometimes men) who know someone who has been diagnosed, or perhaps they themselves have been diagnosed. "What can I do that will be helpful?" "What are the right things to say?" "What are the right things to do?" One of the most helpful things to do, in my opinion, is to see that the person has access to practical and accurate information such as that found in this book. What better way to say, "I'm thinking of you and I want to be of help." This book is written in such a way that the reader can focus on the issues that are especially important at any given time. It deals with the gamut of topics--from biopsy to surgery to vocabulary to chemotherapy to radiation to lymphedema to reconstruction to support groups to helpful websites, etc., etc., etc. . . and it does so with the right balance of levity. Who says we can't have a chuckle or two while reading about a serious subject? A special "thank you" to the breast cancer survivors/authors for so thoughtfully and thoroughly covering a subject that is so important to so many people in our lives.

Carol Rogers - Newburgh, Indiana

As a breast cancer survivor I found this book very helpful. The authors described the feelings, treatment, results and useful information gained from interviewing many survivors. They explained terms I had heard in my diagnosis and had not understood. The book is interesting to read and the information easy to find. The sidebars are especially helpful. This book should be read by anyone who fears or has survived breast cancer.

Based on my 20 years as a medical oncologist/university faculty member, I find this guide acceptable with reservations. For example, this book was partly out of date on some treatment issues the minute it reached bookstores -- a common problem in medical publishing -- and now is even more out of date. The book is OK as a dictionary of medical terms, a tolerable overview of treatments and basic cancer concepts, and a reasonable quide to other information resources. I disagree with some of its tips for dealing with chemotherapy and radiation and, in several areas, the book made recommendations that I consider unwise. Unless you really are a "complete idiot," double check information with your oncologist.

Fabulous book -- the one "must have" on any woman's bookshelf. All the information you need about breast cancer is here, in a clear, easy-to-read format. I'm buying copies for all my friends--and their husbands and sweethearts. Congratulations to the authors for writing a vital book and helping millions of women (and families) around the world.