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

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

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2005

A Primer on Prostate Cancer, The Empowered Patient’s Guide¨ is a basic resource to be used by patients and physicians when there has been a diagnosis of prostate cancer. It outlines a strategy of disease management that is designed to maximize outcomes for the patient and his loved ones. All aspects of diagnosis and testing are discussed; all currently approved treatments for prostate cancer are described. Discussion of treatment options includes information on side effects and includes questions the patient may not think to ask his doctor. Discussions of various treatments include the salvage therapies that might be employed if primary treatment fails. There is an extensive section on the theory and practice of androgen deprivation therapy in its various forms, since many patients have need of this type of information. There is a discussion of “Treatments on the Horizon” for the patient who is interested in the ongoing research in the world of prostate cancer. This is a current, comprehensive guide to prostate cancer presented in understandable terms with a user-friendly color format that will help the reader educate himself about prostate cancer. The book strives to help patients and their loved ones to combat ignorance and fear, replacing that with the empowerment of education.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...must have for any man dealing...or looking to come up to speed quickly on the complexities of prostate cancer..." -- John Page, President and CEO, Us Too! International, Inc.

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

Throw away any other books you may have on prostate cancer. This is all you need. -- Bill Buckman, prostate cancer patient

must have for any man dealing...on the complexities of prostate cancer... -- Us Too! International, Inc. (Prostate Cancer Education and Support), October 2002

From the Publisher

Prostate cancer patients are abundant with 200,000 new diagnoses per year and millions of men in the US alone living with prostate cancer. Due to the complexities of the disease and the many options that are available, prostate cancer patients tend to do more research into their disease than many other types of cancer patients.

A Primer on Prostate Cancer is an unbiased, easily understood and reader-friendly tool that patients rave about in their reviews on web bookseller sites, often mentioning that the book should be the first book a newly diagnosed man and his family read and that they appreciate the information in it. Each of the 23 reviews on Amazon.com as well as the reviews on BarnesandNoble.com are five stars. There are no negative comments in any of the reviews.

The Primer is presented in a user-friendly format with color-coded portions of text, physician¡¦s notes which are case studies presented to reinforce important concepts, fully indexed and referenced, with glossary, chapter summaries, appendices with further discussion of certain topics and graphic presentation of staging tools such as the Partin Tables, TNM staging system and useful forms for the prostate cancer patient and his doctor.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Life Extension Media; 2 edition (February 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965877779
• ISBN-13: 978-0965877770
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Cancer > Prostate Disease

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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.