The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) [Paperback]

Professor Patrick C. Walsh MD (Author), Ms. Janet Farrar Worthington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0801849896 | ISBN-13: 978-0801849893 | Edition: 1

This year, 200,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. An even greater number will seek help for problems caused by prostate enlargement and inflammation. This book is for them -- and for the wives, sisters, and daughters who often take responsibility for educating men about health matters and encouraging them to see a physician. Written by the world-renowned Johns Hopkins surgeon who devised the new, nerve-sparing surgical procedure for treating prostate cancer (generally known as the "Walsh procedure") and an award-winning medical writer, here is an accessible and authoritative resource about the three most common prostate disorders: prostate cancer; benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, commonly known as enlarged prostate); and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).

The good news of the book is that effective treatment -- and relief of symptoms -- is available for all of these disorders. It's especially good to know that prostate cancer, when caught early, is curable. By alleviating men's fears about treatment and assuring them that many men can lead normal, active lives after prostate surgery, the authors hope to encourage men to seek medical attention for their prostate problems and help them to understand the options that are available.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"Every three minutes, a new case of prostate cancer is diagnosed in the United States. Every 15 minutes, a man dies from it." Thus, the message of this book that "most prostate trouble can be prevented?and, if caught early enough, all prostate problems can be cured, even cancer"?is good news indeed. State-of-the-art medical knowledge is provided by Johns Hopkins Urologist-in-Chief Walsh, clearly written by science writer Worthington, and informatively illustrated by Leon Schlossberg. The authors acknowledge that "medical care in this country is uneven," so their goal is "for you to come away from this book informed, prepared and able to discuss your situation intelligently with your doctor." This comprehensive reference on the prostate and its disorders complements?and surpasses?Sylvan Meyer and Seymour C. Nash's recent case study approach in Prostate Cancer: Making Survival Decisions (LJ 11/15/94).?James Swanton, Albert Einstein Coll. of Medicine, New York
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"State-of-the-art medical knowledge is provided by Johns Hopkins Urologist-in-Chief Walsh, clearly written by science writer Worthington, and informatively illustrated by Leon Schlossberg... [A] comprehensive reference on the prostate and its disorders." -- Library Journal

"This book is substantive. You can look up any subject and really learn a lot." -- Dr. Tim Johnson, "Good Morning America"

"Men -- and the women who care about them -- will find no better guide than Dr. Patrick Walsh." -- John A. Meyers, Chairman Emeritus, Time, Inc.

"The treatment of prostate disease is a topic surrounded by controversy, confusion, and misinformation. Men wondering where to turn for treatment would do well to start their search by reading this important book, which is not only comprehensive and authoritative but a model of clarity." -- William Whitworth, Editor, Atlantic Monthly

"Before Dr. Walsh, I wasn't even aware that I had a prostate. Now that I have read his book I know all about it, and he and Janet Worthington made it so easy for me to understand. This is a book that the prostate did not want the public to see." -- Art Buchwald

"Explains the latest procedures and their side effects." -- U.S. News and World Report

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801849896
• ISBN-13: 978-0801849893
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough coverage with one or two flaws, January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them (Mass Market Paperback)

Patrick Walsh, perhaps the best-known urologist in the country, has written a book with very good coverage of the main issues related to prostate cancer. It is readable, and for the most part, treats controversial issues fairly.

My main problem with the book is the discussion on incontinence following a radical prostatectomy. Walsh devotes only two pages to this problem (except for scattered references elsewhere) and tends to dismiss any concern with this subject. "It (incontinence) will go away soon--don't be discouraged" (p. 108). "You will get through this" (p. 111).

I had this surgery at age 62 by a highly competent and experienced urologist. Like Walsh, he dismissed any possibility of long-term incontinence. But after the catheter was removed, I dribbled more or less continually (except at night) for 15 months, wearing four or five pads a day, without the slightest improvement. Only when my urologist installed an artificial sphincter did the condition improve. And while figures vary, I have seen reports that up to 10 percent or more of men may have this problem.

In fairness to Dr. Walsh, he did revise his comments in the second edition of the book, acknowledging that some men may have a problem here. He qualifies his original optimism somewhat.

His discussion of impotence is mostly fair. His estimate of 68 percent of men who remain potent after the surgery seems somewhat high, in that most other studies are less optimistic. Walsh is well-known for having pioneered the "nerve-sparing" surgery that preserves potency for many men." He discusses possible remedies for impotence, but the book appeared before viagra had come out.

There are a number of areas where Walsh's discussion is very helpful, and I do not want to sound mainly critical. I do believe that as we gain more experience with seed implants and cyrosurgery, there will be a shift away from the radical surgery.

All in all, the book is well done and certainly worth reading by anyone interested in the subject.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended to all my patients, August 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them (Mass Market Paperback)

Walsh and Worthington have written a book that explains complicated principles in easy to understand language. As a urologist, I make this "required reading" for all my patients undergoing evaluation for prostate problems; the discussion on PSA and prostate cancer is especially good. When patients come to me confused about prostate issues, this is the book I suggest they read.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only one I unhesitatingly recommend to others, February 27, 2001

By 

Chet Floyd (Manhattan Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them (Mass Market Paperback)

After months of study following my diagnosis of prostate cancer, this is one of 3 books I kept for my personal library, and the only one I unhesitatingly recommend to others. Key feature: It covers the 3 main things that can go wrong with your prostate, not just cancer. It is objective, balanced and thorough enough you may wish to hide your eyes on some pages! It is excellent background, well organized and detailed enough that I continually refer to it. My wife also found it excellent as well.

Worthington is the Science Editor for John Hopkins with an outstandingly clear ability to communicate to the novice or experienced patient. Walsh is the noted prostate cancer surgeon who pioneered nerve sparing radical prostectomy, for those who choose that route.

I did not choose surgery, but this book enabled me to objectively approach that as an option during my study. I wish I had read this book years ago for the understanding of the prostate it contains. All men should have this book for its discussion of prostate problems in general. Face it guys, one or more of these is likely to happen to you. If you are actually diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is an excellent place to start your study and familiarize yourself with prostate anatomy and treatment options.