Customer Reviews

The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

At 48 yrs old, I got the bad news. Prostate Cancer. Immediately, I wanted to know everthing I could. This was the first book I read. It is concise and has an easy to read flow and format. If you have prostate cancer, this won't be the only book you will read. If you don't have it, or if you are married to someone who does, it will give you a very good understanding of what to expect.

I was given this book prior to prostate surgery and it's now the only source of information to which I refer friends when asked about my experience with prostate cancer. It is well written, easy for the layman to understand, and very thoughtfully spells out the available options a prostate cancer patient faces. My wife also read the book, and it gave her a sense of understanding of my problem which she'd not had. Thanks Dr. Walsh.

My father received word that he had prostate cancer. Devastated by the news, I sought to read as much as I could do in an effort to be well informed and assist my parents. This book is written in clear language for the layman to understand. It was wonderful to be able to share this information with my Dad and my spouse. My Dad read the book over a weekend and feels very well prepared to talk with his physician about treatment options. Remember - knowledge is power and it pays to be informed when facing a life-threatening disease.

Women - read this book so that you are informed. My mother read this book after my father and feels that she gained a lot of knowledge. I am grateful to Dr. Walsh and Ms. Worthington for writing a book in such a way that it could be understood by all.

This book failed to mention that no side effect from prostate surgery is as bad as any side effect of prostate cancer that has metastasized. The book did not emphasize how important it is to consider removing the prostate when the PSA level starts to climb, even when a biopsy does not find (misses) cancer cells. The "watchful waiting" approach so popular with HMO's should be exposed for what it is: the "watchful killing" approach. This book does not discuss the horrible side effects of advanced prostate cancer enough to allow men to make a truly informed decision. Doctors like to say, "Men don't die of prostate cancer; something else usually kills them first." Anyone with an I.Q. can figure out that this is exactly the same thing as saying "If something else doesn't kill you first, prostate cancer will." Please don't let your loved ones suffer through the process of watching prostate cancer kill you.

This book will help anyone that has been told by a doctor that there is a strong possibility he has prostate cancer.It will help you make an educated decision as to a course of action - from wait and see to radical surgery and everything inbetween. I found the best approach is to read the book rather quickly the first time and then reread it a second time taking the time to make sure you understand what Dr. Walsh is telling you. It saved my life, and I feel it helped me make the decision that was right for me.

Amid all of the rumors and horror stories one confronts after being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, this guide was conforting to both my wife and me. Doctor Walsh and Ms. Worthington are to be commended for preparing a text that a layman can understand and at the same time put to rest the fears stimulated by the horror stories a cancer victim encounters. Especially impressive were the illustrations by Leon Schlossberg. As one who underwent the radical nerve sparing surgery, developed by Dr. Walsh, I knew exactly what would happen and what to expect. I purchase copies of the book and pass it on to men I know who have been diagnosed.

This book was refered to me when I was told that I told that I had Prostate cancer by a doctor. The doctor informed me that most men do not understand what the prostate does and how it operates. I read the book and achieved a better understanding of what I was facing. My wife did not read the entire book but did read certain parts and used this to support me in this time. I would recommend that every man over 50 beg, borrow or buy this book, read it, study it and visit with their doctor and get a yearly check up. I am a five year survial of Prostate cancer and every 6 months when the doctor tells me that it is still in remission I rejoice.