Customer Reviews

The Feisty Woman's Breast Cancer Book

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ELAINE RATNER'S BOOK, "THE FEISTY WOMAN'S BREAST CANCER BOOK" IS STRICTLY ONE WOMAN'S OPINION. MS RATNER EXPALINS IN DETAIL HOW SHE CAME TO HER DECISION TO HAVE A RADICAL MASTECTOMY. SHE DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES. THIS BOOK IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR A WOMAN WITH A NEW DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER. I WOULD ONLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO WOMEN WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE AN INFORMED DECISION TO HAVE A MASTECTOMY. THIS BOOK PROVIDES ONE WOMAN'S OPINION ONLY.

I was given a copy of this book after my lumpectomy. This book is very one-sided and I have read several inaccuracies. It is definitely not a book for someone newly diagnosed whether she is feisty or not.

Having overcome breast cancer and ready to celebrate my first year as a survivor, I found myself disagreeing with almost everything in this book. Reading between the lines I found alot of bitterness and negativity, not a book for someone who is looking to be inspired.

Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2000, and feeling that I too was a "Feisty Woman," I bought Elaine's book. I was quickly alarmed to find that her ideas of being "Feisty" were to challenge all medical standards and decline proven treatment. This may have been the correct decision for her (I hope that it was) but I find it unconscionable for her to suggest that other women do the same. There are too many variables and too much data that seems to have dismissed, to call her suggestions objective and well-thought out. If you must, then please: Read With Care! In the case of this book, "Feisty" could mean "Fatal."

When Jane Brody recommended this book and another, I asked my local library to order both. You won't be disappointed with the Feisty Woman. It's the sort of book you can jump around from chapter to chapter or read straight through for information. You'll want to go back later and think about how it relates to your life. Technical issues are explained intelligently. It addresses physical,mental and emotional issues as well as giving you both a male and female perspective on breast cancer, giving and receiving support from your children, family & friends as well as developing your own "voice".

This is NOT a book for the newly diagnosed or for anyone who is on the fence about treatment choices. While some of the author's advice regarding emotional health are good, her medical advice is one-sided and fails to recognize that medical choices are very individual choices and one size does not fit all. Her skepticism about current common practice treatments like radiation, chemotherapy and tamoxifen are not necessarily based on good science and should be taken with a large grain of salt. I would hate to think others would base their medical choices on her discussion of these potentially life-saving issues. I applaud her for having the strength to get through this and feel comfortable enough to live her life without reconstruction or prosthesis, but many women will make different choices that are equally right for them. "Just Get Me Through This" is a better book on coping with breast cancer.

This book is written by someone who clearly has no medical background and is unable to read and interpret research clearly. There are an incredible number of inaccurate statements. Following this kind of advice could kill you. It's the kind of book that perpetuates myths and does not help the cause of women anywhere. Terrible book.