A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer [Paperback]

Alice F. Chang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

Breast cancer strikes one out of every nine American women. The author's unique perspective combines her expertise as a clinical psychologist with her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor. She includes suggestions that will help you understand treatment side effects, find support, and cope with the emotional turbulence that can accompany diagnosis and treatment.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications, Inc; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572241853
• ISBN-13: 978-1572241855
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,555,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Authentic Book!, March 2, 2000

By 

Deanna Henion (Reeds Spring, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer (Paperback)

Alice and I have been good friends for twenty years. I went through the breast cancer experience with her, although from a long distance. I thought I understood what she was feeling during that time. However, from reading her book, I can now see that I truly only understood part of what was going on. I didn't understand how frightened she was, nor did I have any idea of just how upsetting it was for her to go through the initial diagnosis and then the treatments. Her reluctance to share all of the details with me may have been because of her generosity in protecting MY feelings and emotions and/or her inability to be verbal at that point in time about a very emotional experience. If I would have had a book that described some of these deeper feelings to me, I would have understood more about what many women face and could have been more supportive to her during that time.

Alice's voice comes through her book as authentic, honest and vulnerable. I liked the mixing of the autobiography with a self-help book. The many pictures enhance the book's genuineness--there are pictures of the doctors, documentation of Alice's process and scars plus photos of items that are either helpful or humorous. The book has a very personal feel-- just like talking with my good friend. Once I started reading it, I had trouble putting it down! If I had breast cancer or had a friend or family member that had been diagnosed, I would find Alice's account of the process very helpful and her explanations of the psychological issues very soothing and supportive. In addition to the vivid coverage of her diagnosis and treatment, Alice steps back from her patient role and assumes the role of psychologist, offering tools and methods for coping, accepting and changing one's sometimes debilitating ways of dealing with challenges. I appreciated the way she addressed the varied avenues that people have for healing themselves.

Congratulations to Alice for the courage it took to write this revealing book. I think it will be of great benefit, not only to the patient herself, but also to husbands, family, and friends of those who are facing breast cancer--or possibly any cancer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorma Smith, Review of A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer, March 24, 2000

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Gorma C. Smith (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer (Paperback)

I bought the book early on a Saturday at a fund raiser for Handi-Dogs. I was privileged to meet Alice in person before I read the book. She was introduced to me by my brother and we spoke briefly. I went home, sat down and thought I would read just a bit of the book. About 2 AM I finished the book. I shed tears, laughter, humility, pride, joy in this brief time. What a special, special person she is. I am purchasing her book for my friends. Even if one does not have cancer or have a friend or relative that does, it is a book about an intelligent, gentle, brave woman with a deep sense of responsibility to help others. I felt I had sat at the feet of a "true teacher" and "superior person". There are indeed angels here on earth to guide us.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer, March 18, 2000

By 

Donald West (Marana, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer (Paperback)

The finest book of its type.It says what needs to be said and usually is not.The book is easy reading and very comprehensive. Breast cancer affects many of our lives and here is a discussion in language that everyone will find of great value.