Fighting for Our Future : How Young Women Find Strength, Hope, and Courage While Taking Control of Breast Cancer [Hardcover]

Beth Murphy (Author), Ann Curry (Author), George Sledge (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071409254 | ISBN-13: 978-0071409254 | Publication Date: September 9, 2002 | Edition: 1

A CRUCIAL GUIDE TO BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL FOR A NEW GENERATION OF WOMEN

The first comprehensive survival guide for breast cancer in younger women

Each year thousands of young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, yet virtually all of the information available on breast cancer focuses on the concerns of older women. Fighting for Our Future is the first comprehensive "survival guide" for young women living with breast cancer, their families, those who care for them, and young women with a family history of cancer who need to be aware of their risks, not only as older women but also right now.

This important book provides a close look at vital issues for this community, including:

• Fertility, pregnancy, and breast-feeding
• Effects of treatment on an active lifestyle
• Sexuality and dating

With strong medical backing from a medical advisory board, including George Sledge, M.D., director of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Jeanne Petrek, M.D., of Memorial Sloan-Kettering; and Harold Burstein, Ph.D., M.D., of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, this text is packed with information that is vital to understanding the complexities of breast cancer.

A companion book to an hour-long documentary film airing on Lifetime Television in October 2002, and released in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fighting for Our Future will be a welcome weapon of awareness for all women­­one that is greatly needed in the battle against this disease.

"This [book] is a unique opportunity to make a difference with what is unfortunately an increasing number of young women who fall into this group."­­Bert M. Petersen Jr., M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center

"Fighting for Our Future addresses many of the issues facing young women with breast cancer. They deserve recognition in an open forum."­­B. I. Bodai, M.D., F.A.C.S., Director, Breast Surgical Services, Kaiser Permanente

"I believe [Fighting for Our Future] will become essential reading material for young women with breast cancer."­­Jeanne A. Petrek, M.D., Director, Surgical Program, Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center and Iris Cantor Diagnostic Center

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although there are currently more than 250,000 women in the U.S. under 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, they have been proportionally underrepresented in medical studies. Since breast cancer does not afflict younger women as often as it does the middle-aged and elderly, physicians have also misdiagnosed them. Murphy spent two years studying this age group and, in consultation with medical professionals, provides a valuable resource for young women. Combining anecdotes from breast cancer patients who have undergone treatment with emerging scientific research, Murphy has compiled a clear and non-judgmental guide to negotiating treatment and living with the illness. Included are suggestions for the newly diagnosed on the questions to ask health care professionals, information on how to establish a support network, the pros and cons of reconstructive surgery, and details on handling breast cancer while pregnant. Young women who have gone through radiation, surgery and chemotherapy describe these procedures. Murphy also has an excellent chapter on complementary and alternative treatments (CAM) that have proved their value to many patients.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

It is a startling statistic--in the United States each year, ten thousand women under the age of forty are diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, because they make up only about five percent of the total number of those stricken, virtually all of the readily available information on breast cancer has focused on older women--until now. If you or someone you love is a young woman coping with breast cancer, this much-needed book was created for you. Here, for the first time, is all the vital information about breast cancer as it relates to the unique medical--and emotional--issues and challenges faced by young women.

Within these pages is the latest medical knowledge about young women with breast cancer, based on interviews with doctors and scientists doing cutting-edge research in the field--some of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves. In addition, this book includes the inspiring and instructive first-hand stories of other young women's experiences, from discovery and diagnosis to treatment and recovery. The result is a host of practical and personal information on a range of concerns, from how to find a breast surgeon to the effects of a life-threatening illness on a new marriage or relationship to:

• Coping with body image, dating, sex, and intimacy
• Breast reconstruction options
• The latest facts about fertility and pregnancy for breast cancer survivors
• Alternative and complementary treatments and spiritual approaches to illness
• Advice to young mothers on child-rearing during chemotherapy
• Fitness, Diet, and taking care of your body
• Facing Recurrence and Metastasis

...and much more, including a comprehensive Resource Guide citing other relevant books, articles, web sites, and organizations. Filled with hard-won wisdom, compassion, and invaluable information, Fighting for Our Future is a survival guide and support group in one volume--an engaging, exceptional tool for understanding the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of young women coping with--and living with--breast cancer.

The First Comprehensive Survival Guide for

Young Breast Cancer Patients and Their Families

"This book is emotional, compelling and deeply necessary--offering promise and hope for young women by arming us with the crucial information we absolutely need to hear and understand."--Melissa Joan Hart, Actress, Host of the documentary Fighting for Our Future

"Personal stories, medical advice and honest answers to the questions young women with breast cancer ask: this book is a valuable resource for women, health professionals, and caregivers."--Amy S. Langer, Executive director, National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO)

"A must read. Beth Murphy integrates the scientific facts about the disease with histories obtained from personal interviews with survivors. When controversy exists, the author is careful to report both sides of the issue. There is valuable information for families and friends as well as the patient."--David Rosenthal, Ph.D., director of Harvard University Health Services, former President of the American Cancer Society

"Fighting for Our Future has the power to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of women. Its scope and breadth make it a critical resource on breast cancer and young women. These unforgettable pages resonate with great hope and promise that will inspire all readers."--Carole Black, President & CEO, Lifetime Entertainment Services

A Companion to the Lifetime Original Documentary "Fighting for Our Future"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071409254
• ISBN-13: 978-0071409254
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,464,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE reference source for young women, October 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fighting for Our Future : How Young Women Find Strength, Hope, and Courage While Taking Control of Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

Not only is this book the most comprehensive, unbiased book on breast cancer in young women I have ever read, I applaud Beth Murphy for taking the time to focus on YOUNG WOMEN with breast cancer, a sorely under-served group. This book takes the reader inside the lives of young survivors. While touching, it is never over-the-top dramatic, and it certainly isn't sappy. Murphy defines the risks of diagnosis in young women in realistic terms - the good with the bad - and does the same for treatment issues with regards to young women. Furthermore, the author doesn't beat around the bush getting to the point that while we've made great advances in breast cancer treatment, research for young women is terribly lacking. She goes on to explain the implications a woman under 40 faces when diagnosed.
Astoundingly, Murphy even manages to discuss the controversial political issues of breast cancer without ever stepping up on a soapbox. She sticks to the facts about who says what, and what questions still go unanswered.

This book is a must have for any woman who wishes to get a real understanding of her health risks where breast cancer is concerned.
Every doctor (particularly those still preaching "you're too young to have breast cancer"!!), nurse, mammography technician, breast health specialist, and breast cancer researcher should read this book and take its message to their jobs.
Every woman under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer, every mother, sister, father, brother, friend, and boyfriend of a young survivor should buy this book immediately.

There is nothing else on the market that even comes close.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must read for women of all ages!, September 30, 2002

By 

Dara Friedrich (las vegas,nv usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting for Our Future : How Young Women Find Strength, Hope, and Courage While Taking Control of Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

This book,yes is very touching and quite moving but I think it is the educational aspect of the subject of breast cancer that I found to be the most beneficial from having read the book. The author takes you in a different direction on breast cancer, one that we haven't really seen in most other books on the subject. We are taken on a journey through the lives of these very brave women who were diagnosed with the disease at such a YOUNG age-as we usually see it in older women. I have,like most young women, thought breast cancer is not a real concern for me at my age. I have,until now, relied on my doctor to let me know what health issues he should pursue as given my current medical history ... I am glad I read this book-I am certainly more informed as will my doctor also be during my next visit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helped me tremendously, April 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Fighting for Our Future : How Young Women Find Strength, Hope, and Courage While Taking Control of Breast Cancer (Paperback)

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. The day after my diagnosis my husband and I went to the bookstore to find books on the topic. This book jumped out at me and, out of a variety of books and other research, this one provided the most useful, best written information on breast cancer and breast cancer considerations, particularly for a young woman. The survivor stories/vignettes let me know I was not alone and gave me hope that I could survive.