14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dealing With Colorectal Cancer, July 3, 2004
As a two-time colorectal cancer survivor, I strongly recommend this book as the best I've come across on the subject. Having read extensively on this topic in medical journals, medical websites, books and periodicals, I believe that this book is unique. It ties together the myriad factors and interrelationships that make cancer in general, but colorectal cancer in particular, so perplexing to the patient, the patient's loved ones and support group members from initial diagnosis through treatment to recovery or recurrence. Dr. Pochapin also stresses the importance of compassionate care in the current specialist oriented managed care environment.
The book explains in layman's terms how you can avoid getting the disease, what to do when diagnosed with it, and how to minimize your chances of recurrence.
Most importantly from a public health perspective, it describes the various diagnostic tests available and gives an overview of their respective advantages and limitations. The book explains its strong recommendations for colonoscopy screening for everyone age 50 or older. The colonoscopy serves as the gold standard diagnostic test and is unique among cancer diagnostics in that it can also be the cure in most cases where the cancer is confined to the polyp removed during the procedure.
The author does an excellent job explaining the medical profession's current understanding of the causes of this disease and the workings of the gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Pochapin describes how diet, vitamin and chemical supplements, and lifestyle changes should lower your chances of getting this cancer and presents the empirical evidence supporting these recommendations.
The sections on diagnosis and treatment are a clearly written guide on what to do if you are diagnosed with this cancer, how to interpret the diagnosis, what to expect in terms of the various treatments currently available, their respective ramifications and how best to cope with them. The book doesn't delve into the background and use of blood markers, such as CEA, or into the various chemotherapy regimens, radiation protocols and surgical options, perhaps to steer clear of patient's natural tendency towards self-diagnosis and simplification.
The tone of the book is upbeat and positive, and leaves you with the feeling that this cancer can be beat. Colorectal cancer is avoidable for the most part, diagnostics are continually improving, the preparation for the tests is becoming less arduous, and research into new techniques for improving cure rates are in the pipeline.
Read it. Give it to anyone you know 50 or older. Certainly give it to those currently fighting this disease.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS BOOK SAVED MY LIFE., June 26, 2004
Perceiving myself to be in the best of health, I had, for year, postponed subjecting myself to a colonoscopy. Reading this book motivated me to overcome my resistance and ignorance and schedule a screening. The colonoscopy revealed a few (benign) polyps which were removed during the procedure, plus a cluster of polyps which could only be removed by hemicolectomy. The first shock was seeing the cluster on film; the second shock was the need for abdominal surgery; the third shock was the pathology report which confirmed a small, superficial cancerous lesion in the earliest stages of growth. The lesion had not yet penetrated inward, nor had it reached the lymph nodes. But it would have - possibly in as little as three or four months. Buy this book. Read it. Schedule a screening. It just might save your life.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Be proactive and avoid this cancer, August 1, 2004
As a two time survivor of colorectal cancer I think this the best book I've read on how to avoid this cancer, what to do if diagnosed with it and how to cope with it. If I knew then what I know now I would have been proactive in getting physical exams with the screening tests described and certainly a colonoscopy at 50 years of age. Sooner if certain symptoms or hereditary factors were present.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with colorectal cancer the book's comprehensive treatment of the various options available and how to obtain the best care is extremely valuable. The advice given by the author rings true based on my experiences.
The recovering cancer survivor will also find a unique and comprehensive overview of lifestyle changes,dietary recommendations as well as vitamin and chemical supplements available to help you lower the chance of recurrence, backing up these suggestions with empirical evidence. This has been helpful to me.
I suggest you buy this book, read it, give it to anyone approaching 50 whom you care for and certainly anyone currently battling the disease or it's aftermath.
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