Customer Reviews

Melanoma: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment (Yale University Press Health & Wellness)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Written by a journalist who herself had melanoma and a medical doctor, this concise book aims at helping those who have contracted melanoma or who fear they might. It is also valuable for those whose spouse or other loved one has this frightening disease.

Poole follows the plan implied in the title, showing how melanoma might be prevented, how it can be detected as early as possible (which is absolutely essential in this disease, because it is the spread, the metastasis, that kills), and how it can be treated. She adds some resources including web sites, helpful organizations, publications, and a glossary. The photos showing what melanoma looks like include shots of moles that may be spots where melanoma may begin. The prints are ugly and scary, but very helpful. There is some technical material, especially about the staging system for melanoma in Appendix A, but for the most part the emphasis is on practical information and guidance presented in a straight forward and readable manner.

I wish the information in this book had been widely available twenty years ago so that my mother who died from the disease might have understood what the spots on her skin were and had them removed before they spread to her brain. For myself, I note that of the five most important factors in gauging who is most likely to get melanoma (p. 21), I have all five.

The good news is, although once it has metastasized melanoma is a very deadly disease, if it is caught in time, the cure rate is very high, in some case approaching 100% (p. 39).

What's beautiful about this book is that the information it contains will surely save lives.

This book was very useful in understanding melanoma. My mother had the disease and I have many moles that on occasion worry me. THe photos and text dispelled many of the myths I had heard about getting melanoma and now I know what to look for when I worry about a mole changing. I don't panic about my moles as much and now I'm armed to discuss anything with my doctor in an intelligent manner.

This book was very helpful in explaining what melanoma is, what questions to ask my doctor and what the answers meant. It was recommended that I have some "suspicious" moles checked and read the book to gain a better understanding of what they were looking for and the consequences of what might be found. As a layman it's hard to know where to begin and what you should be asking. This book gave me the answers - I strongly recommend it.

This book was an indispensible resource during one of the most trying times of my life. It helped me to appreciate the seriousness of this disease and increased my understanding of my pathology report and treatment options. Thank-you Ms. Poole and Dr. Guerry.

This has to be that best melanoma book I have read yet. The information is given clearly, and without being overly technical. I would strongly recommend this book to patients, families, caregivers, or anyone dealing with melanoma in ther life.

My mother has melanoma and this book helped us understand what to do. It has lots of pictures and illustrations to guide you. Right away you know what melanoma looks like. The medical terms are easy to understand.

Poole and Guerry have written an easily accessible book. The pictorial content, drawings and photography, further enhances the educational impact . They will undoubtedly save many lives through their thoughtful use of language and approach. As a concerned Floridian I have recommended "Melanoma" to other friends and even to my dermatologist. Thank you for publishing this fine book.

This books is the best out there on melanoma. It has great photos, and the explanations are so easy to understand. It also makes the diagnosis a lot less scary with factual answers that seem caring.

As the managing editor of the popular online family health magazine Pinksunrise I had the opportunity to both read Ms. Poole's book and to interview her. Melanoma is not only a personal issue for Ms. Poole but also a national warning in the fight to prevent the deadly cancer melanoma. Ms. Poole spends a great deal of time talking about the prevention, early detection, and the latest treatments for melanoma. In addition, she has written a book that is comprehensive, yet written for everyone to understand. Early detection is the real key to warding off melanoma and escaping invasive and potentially dangerous cancer. She includes many excellent photos of what "normal" skin marks and moles look like and what "abnormal" or dangerous marks and moles look like. This is an invaluable resource for the whole family.

this book is so great. it helped me with my melanoma. it helped me understand all about this disease. it made me feel good that someone else had been there too. this helped me and my husband through this terrible time. The photos and illustrations were terrific.