A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide [Paperback]

Stephen B. Strum (Author), Donna Pogliano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

A Primer on Prostate Cancer

A Warrior’s Guide to Defeating Prostate Cancer

The importance of prevention and early diagnosis of prostate cancer is critical to combating this disease that strikes over 180,000 men every year.

For the warriors in this battle who have been newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, and for their families and loved ones, A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient’s Guide, serves as a guidebook to the successful management of this epidemic disease.

The Primer’s primary purpose is to utilize the clinical experience of a medical oncologist who has specialized in prostate cancer to address the issues and realities encountered by men and women touched by prostate cancer. Many of the suggestions for topics in the Primer came from men who have experienced prostate cancer and from their partners. Written by Dr. Stephen B. Strum, a board certified medical oncologist specializing in prostate cancer and co-founder of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, and Donna Pogliano, partner of a warrior in the battle against prostate cancer and award-winning prostate cancer activist, this book is a comprehensive guide on the basics of prostate cancer, diagnosis and testing procedures, and the numerous treatment options.

Also included:

~ Full color illustrations and photos
~ Notes sections for readers
~ Case studies
~ Chapter summaries
~ List of additional resources

Within the 368 pages of this full-color in-depth book on prostate cancer, newly diagnosed men have access to the vital information that those who have experienced prostate cancer consider indispensable. Armed with this education, the prostate cancer patient has the ammunition to become empowered and involved in intelligently managing his own care.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...it is one of the best books available on prostate cancer.... It is excellent and a recommended buy." -- Don Cooley, webmaster and discussion list moderator, Patient to Patient, October 2002

...must have for any man dealing...or looking to come up to speed quickly on the complexities over prostate cancer..." -- John Page, President and CEO, Us Too! International, Inc. (Prostate Cancer Education and Support), October 2002

A MUST HAVE for any man dealing with prostate.... An absolutely essential patient resource." -- John A. Page, President and CEO, Us Too! International, Inc

It is one of the best books available on prostate cancer. It is excellent and a recommended buy. -- Don Cooley, webmaster and discussion list moderator, Patient to Patient

The combination of doctor and active partner of man with the disease is a new mix and it clearly works. -- Robert Young, prostate cancer patient, Webmaster Phoenix5

The excellence and thoroughness of the content, the illustrations, the ease of reading in understandable language--absolutely perfect. -- Bill Buckman, prostate cancer patient

The text is aimed at what I would term the "motivated reader." It should also reside on your doctor’s shelf. -- Gary Ferdinand, Apex, NC, prostate cancer patient

From the Publisher

The book provides critical information and guiding principles to empower a prostate cancer patient, therefore to optimize his chances for a successful outcome. We believe this book provides very current and up to date information regarding the latest testing and treatment innovations in the world of prostate cancer. It is written to appeal to readers at many different levels, from the newly diagnosed, to the serious student of prostate cancer.

The Primer is enriched with case studies in the format of Physician’s Notes to emphasize key concepts. Space is provided throughout the text for the reader to jot down notes. It is printed in full color and includes 139 graphics. This alone sets it apart from many other health books. Fully indexed and referenced, with a resource list, a glossary of terms and several other useful appendices, it is a valuable reference book for patients and their doctors.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Life Extension Media; 1 edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965877760
• ISBN-13: 978-0965877763
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,343,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a "Primer on Prostate Cancer", May 11, 2004

By 

William L. Lambright (Greenville, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide (Paperback)

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, January 2004. My urologist told me to "get informed on your disease" and gave me the titles of a couple of books he recommended. "A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide " was not one on his list. - It should have been!

A fellow prostate cancer patient loaned me his copy. I have my own now. "The Primer" is a classic!

Before reading "The Primer" I ordered "The Prostate" by Dr. Patrick Walsh and Janet Worthington - a good, but out of date book,especially when discussing Cryosurgery with only 2 pages devoted to the procedure. In contrast "The Primer" explains Cryosurgery in great and up-to-date detail. It devotes 7 full pages with excellent color diagrams to Cryo - an often neglected and misunderstood treatment option.

I also read "Prostate & Cancer"(Revised Edition) by Dr. Sheldon Marks. This is a much more basic guide in a Q&A format. Once again it is dated and brief as to Cryotherapy as a treatment option. I found "The Primer" to be through on all treatment strategies without being too technical. It is "accurate and balanced".

Current testing procedures, treatment options, and data are presented in a easy to access and understand format! The blue, green red color coding of sentences of special importance make the book easy to "skim" for key information and guidance. The physician notes are invaluable sources of "real patient" information. This makes the book personal and "alive" with actual patient histories.

There are other helps on the various treatment strategies but the "key" to this book is found on page 72 where the authors outline an approach to achieve the best outcome for any prostate cancer patient. This paragraph alone is worth the price of the book!

I hope the authors will keep "The Primer" current with a "revised edition" in about 5 years!

"The Primer" is a "must read" book for the newly diagnosed or post-treatment patient! It will remain as a reference work as I help others become "empowered patients" as the authors of this excellent guide have helped me to become.

Thanks, Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano. Your book has/will help thousands of men! We are grateful.

I recommend this book without reservation.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the, June 14, 2005

By 

Charles C. Maack (Wichita, Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide (Paperback)

"A Primer on Prostate Cancer - The Empowered Patient's Guide" provides excellent insight into answering the many questions of the newly diagnosed or recurring Prostate Cancer patient. We recommend its review and strongly recommend that every Prostate Cancer patient purchase the "Primer" not only for himself but for his physician as likely the most authoritative and informative book available that explains the many aspects of Prostate Cancer treatment in medical terms that can be understood by both the layman patient and his attending physician. Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano have provided us the procedures being practiced by those who specialize specifically in Prostate Cancer research and treatment and who are far ahead of their contemporaries in recognizing and understanding the latest innovations in Prostate Cancer therapy. Charles (Chuck) Maack, Program Director, Treasurer, Website Manager, Wichita, Kansas Chapter, Us TOO Intl., Inc. Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network. (...)

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely The Most Complete Book On Prostate Cancer, May 7, 2003

By 

Judy Thurman (Wife of a man with advanced pro... (Hendersonville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide (Paperback)

Dr. Stephen Strum and Donna Pogliano have written an excellent book which will guide both patient and physician, alike, to optimal care in the treatment of prostate cancer. Easy to read and understand, color coded for quick reference, basic and advanced information depending on the readers interest, it's all there. I use it as my prostate cancer bible and even carry it with me to PCa support group meetings. When discussions raise a question, we find the answer.

The dedication of these two people in producing a text of this quality will change the way men will be able to live with PCa and will impact the quality of life of those men who may eventually die from prostate cancer.