How Cancer Works (Paperback)

~ (Author) "In the lectures that follows, we will discuss nine model"" cancers..." (more)
Key Phrases: genetic cookbook, follicular lymphoma cells, basal stem cells, United States, Mother Nature, Virus Hepatitis (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book is the essential cancer primer! Following the model of his successful previous books, How the Immune System Works and How Pathogenic Viruses Work, Lauren Sompayrac here explains the basics of cancer: what it is, what it does, and what is being done to try to cure it. In nine clear and concise "Lectures," Dr. Sompayrac conveys the essentials of what we know about human malignancies, using his trademark style of every day example, metaphor, anecdote and humor. Focusing on ten of the most common cancers, the book shows -- step by step -- what conditions and events are necessary for tumors to form and grow and what has been learned about stopping that process. This brief book, which can be read in a few sittings, will provide you with a broad basic understanding of our most feared disease. The ideal text for science, medical, and nursing students, practicing physicians and nurses, and all others who need a readable overview of this complex topic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.; 1 edition (December 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763718211
• ISBN-13: 978-0763718213
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #128,143 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cancer Research for Everybody, February 20, 2004

By	George N. Dessev (CO USA) - See all my reviews

Dr. Sompayrac's book is unique in striking the perfect balance between up-to-date scientific accuracy and entertaining presentation. It flows so naturally and is such a fun to read that one tends not to notice its great learning value. I did not put the book down until its last page and then started from the beginning again. I feel that everyone must read this book!

George N. Dessev, Ph.D.
Retired Professor in Cell and Molecular Biology

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well structured review as well as entertaining, December 3, 2006

By	Guy Smith (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First, in the interest of full disclosure, I'll note that I am Dr. Sompayrac's cousin. But don't let that dissuade you -- I have no trouble giving a bad review of a work if I think it deserves such (see my review of "What the Anti-Federalists Were For" as an example).

Like his previous work "How Pathogenic Viruses Work", Lauren has done a very good job is tacking a complex science and distilling it into a very readable book. His approach to the topic (breaking down normal and abnormal cell division, how DNA mutations arise, relating the multiple mutations required for malignancy, etc.) make the topic understandable to even laymen (which I am one).

For non-professionals seeking to understand cancer (and we all know or loved someone who has had it), this book brings a great deal of perspective. Lauren lists common forms of cancer (leukemia, breast/prostate, lung, etc.) in ways that help us understand the differences in types of cancers, how they may be caused, and why cures are difficult to architect.

Though not as entertaining as his "virus" book (which was more interesting due to the nearly endless variety of viruses and their survival mechanisms), his "cancer" book was equally well thought-out, and almost as well written.

I would recommend this work for two audiences: pre-med students and those considering a career in medicine, and laymen who are hungry for knowledge about cancer. If you survived high school biology and genetics-101, very little of this book will be over your head.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understable and accessible cancer research, April 28, 2006

By	M. Pumar "blitz" (Barcelona, Barcelona Spain) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellent book. It provides an overview of the latest advances on cancer research trying to explain its very complex nature. It does so in a clear and direct way. It is amazing how a deep book on such a complex subject can be made so easy to read.

The concepts are explained step by step. The most representative cancers are throughly explained for the layman.