A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction (Quality Medical Home Health Library) [Paperback]

Karen Berger (Author), John Bostwick (Author)

Book Description

Series: Quality Medical Home Health Library | Publication Date: October 15, 1998

A Woman's Decision is an extraordinarily sensitive and authoritative book that will help women assess their options, familiarize themselves with the techniques used in treating breast cancer, and prepare themselves for what to expect medically and emotionally from reconstructive surgery. It combines complete and fully updated medical information with a detailed look at the emotional issues a woman must face when confronting breast cancer. Especially reassuring are the interviews conducted with women and their loved onces, discussion feelings and reactions at every starge, including the decision to seek reconstructive surgery.

In easy-to-understand language, this new edition features the newest therapies available for breast cancer treatment including:
Genetic and hormonal therapy
Edoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery
Image-guided biopsy and sentinel node biopsy
Lumpectomy versus masectomy
Skin-sparing masectomy and immediate reconstruction
Partial reconstruction after lumpectomy

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This remarkable and informative book..will help women deal with the fear and reality of breast cancer by enabling them to become informed participants in the treatment planning process." --Charles M. Balch, M.D., City of Hope

"A timely book that should be read by every woman." --Los Angeles Times Book Review

About the Author

Karen Berger is a medial writer and publisher who lectures widely on women's health issues.

John Botswick III, M.D., is chairman and professor of surgery of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine and is one of the world's foremost authorities on breast surgery and reconstruction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 3rd edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312182295
• ISBN-13: 978-0312182298
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,077,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a Kind, November 26, 1999

By 

Kathleen McDonnell (Monroe Township, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction (Quality Medical Home Health Library) (Paperback)

There are many, many books out there dealing with breast cancer and treatment but this was the only one I could find that really helps a woman decide what course to take if she thinks she wants to have reconstructive surgery. I found it so helpful I recommended it to my doctor.Making a decision to have reconstructive surgery is hard enough, but then you have to decide what type you would like to have, what your choices are depending on your type of cancer and treatment, and, when to have the surgery.Especially helpful are the black and white photos of the results of each type of operation as well as touching and honest real life descriptions of experiences by women who have had these types of surgeries.Having actually gone through a mastectomy with simultaneous "tram flap" reconstuction, I can attest to the accuracy of both the medical information and the emotional descriptions contained in the book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST book for anyone contemplating breast reconstruction, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction (Quality Medical Home Health Library) (Paperback)

I throughly enjoyed this book! The personal stories of those who have been through breast reconstruction were especially interesting. Each subject discussed their type of reconstruction, why they chose that particular type, their surgery(pain, recovery and results) and how breast surgery and reconstruction affected their relationships with their mate and family. The rest of the book is filled with so much valuable information on reconstruction procedures and various aspects of breast cancer. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who is wrestling with the decision to have reconstruction. Even those who are already reconstructed will enjoy this book. They will learn more about the surgical procedures and can compare their experiences with those in the personal stories.Definitely a five star book!!!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Woman's Decision, March 2, 2000

By 

J. West "sarahsmommy" (sierras, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction (Quality Medical Home Health Library) (Paperback)

My plastic surgeon gave me this book to read. It was the best book on breast cancer I've found, and I've built up quite a library lately. It aided me in my treatment decision as well as my reconstruction choice. It also explained my pathology report better than any of my doctors. A great book for any breast cancer patient or her family.