Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer [Hardcover]

M. Steven Piver (Author), Gene Wilder (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1573920894 | ISBN-13: 978-1573920896 | Publication Date: August 1996 | Edition: 1

Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer on 20 May, 1989. When the "New York Times" published 'Research Links Diet and Infertility Factors to Ovarian Cancer', by medical writer Larry Altman, on 25 July, 1989, Gilda's husband, Gene Wilder, wrote to the author to ask some pointed questions. Altman urged him to contact Dr M Steven Piver at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Wilder and Piver met via telephone and immediately recognised their shared common desire. From that time, they have worked together to communicate to the general public what is known about ovarian cancer. When Dr Piver decided to write "Gilda's Disease", he asked Wilder to help him by sharing what he had learned during Gilda's struggle so that others might benefit from their ordeal. Wilder and Piver have worked diligently to ensure that the material provided here is accessible and informative without being too scary. The result is a book that offers both medical and personal insights into ovarian cancer. All royalties will benefit two organisations honouring Gilda's memory: 'Gilda's Club', a free, non-residential support community located in New York City for people with cancer, their families, and friends; and 'The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry' in Buffalo, New York, which tracks women with a family history of ovarian cancer and advises them of their risk for developing the disease and methods of prevention.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After the death of comedienne Gilda Radner from ovarian cancer in 1989, her husband, Gene Wilder, contacted Piver, chief of gynecological oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., to learn more about the disease that killed his wife. In this overview of ovarian cancer, Piver outlines known causes, preventive measures, symptoms and available treatments for this disease. Interspersed with the medical information are excerpts from Radner's book, It's Always Something, written when she was under treatment; personal comments by Wilder; and letters from other women who have been treated for this condition. Because in its early stages, ovarian cancer can be symptom-free, this straightforward, textbook-like presentation is useful. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.) FYI: All royalties will be contributed to two agencies for women with ovarian cancer: Gilda's Club and the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Comedienne Gilda Radner's death from ovarian cancer in May_ 1989 galvanized media attention to the disease and its risk factors. When Wilder, her widower, questioned exclusion of certain facts from a July_ 1989 New York Times article, he was referred to Piver at the Roswell Cancer Institute. The doctor and the actor wound up collaborating on this book, which details causes of the cancer, including "the high-fat, Western diet" ; preventive measures, including oral contraceptives and pregnancy as well as surgical removal of the ovaries; diagnosis; types and stages of the disease; surgical procedures and chemotherapy; alternative therapies, from coffee enemas to touch therapy; and initial thoughts on gene therapy. Wilder's moving personal perspective makes the guide a yet more valuable addition to the growing number of books on women's health concerns. All royalties will benefit Gilda's Club, a free, nonresidential cancer sufferers' support community in New York City, and the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry in Buffalo. Whitney Scott

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; 1 edition (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573920894
• ISBN-13: 978-1573920896
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #871,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed as I wept; life-or-death questions answered., September 20, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Oxford, MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer (Hardcover)

One of the most feared cancers is ovarian cancer, with good reason. It may be asymptomatic; what early symptoms do appear are vague, diffuse, and often are not taken seriously by either women or their doctors. As a result, the disease is often advanced before diagnosis occurs--as in the tragic case of Gilda Radner.

This book lives up to its subtitle: sharing personal experiences and a medical perspective on ovarian cancer. The personal experiences are excerpts from Gilda's book "It's Always Something", excerpts from letters to Gene Wilder, and comments from him. I defy any one to be unmoved by these pages. The voice of the cancer victim and the cancer survivor come through, sometimes tragic, sometimes comic, always honest.

The medical perspective, interwoven with the pertinent experiences, is equally valuable. I think it is superb. Dr. Piver has a remarkable talent for clear and succinct treatment of such complex and scary topics as surgical staging, the 30 different types of ovarian cancer, survival rates and alternative therapies. His historical perspective and obvious mastery of the field enable him to answer the most difficult question-- with a minimum of gobbledegook, and with up-to-date information. This book is almost like having a humane and sympathetic gynecological oncologist across the desk.

Of course, this book could save your life or that of someone you love. Information is one of the best weapons we have against this killer. I am in awe of how much information and wisdom these gentlemen have packed into 184 pages. I could not recommend it more highly.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Primer on Ovarian Cancer, January 22, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer (Paperback)

I was healthy, young and active when,out of the blue, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The next thing I knew they cut me up, filled me with poison (chemo), blasted me into premature menopause and made my hair fall out. I was so overwhelmed.

A kind friend gave me this book. It gave me a clue about what was happening. I read and re-read it and began to understand my disease. With understanding comes hope.

If you know someone with ovarian cancer -- give them (and yourself) this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gilda's Disease, December 26, 1999

By 

Sylvia S. Davi (Mamaroneck, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gilda's Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer (Hardcover)

A great first read after diagnosis. Very informative about the why's and wherefore's regarding ovarian cancer made personal with excerpts from Gilda's Radner's book: It's Always Something (a great second read).

The author writes with authority and compassion, a rather rare combination in the medical profession. A welcomed book at a time when one needs facts combined with heart.