Can Bacteria Cause Cancer?: Alternative Medicine Confronts Big Science (Paperback)

by David Hess (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
With the many issues surrounding the causes and treatment of cancer, determining which cancer research theories are worthy of additional time and funding has become necessary. Hess (anthropology, Rensselaer Polytechnic) suggests a process for evaluating alternative research ideas, such as the theory that bacteria may play a role in tumor genesis and growth. The author explores the history of the bacterial etiology theory, reviews its scientific accuracy, and analyzes the impact of politics and society on the theory. Since much of the current funding goes to mainstream research, Hess has provided this case study to illustrate a method for determining credibility of alternative cancer theories. Once credibility has been established, funding can be distributed more equitably, he notes. Hess concludes with an interesting proposal on policy and budgetary reforms for cancer research. Recommended for academic and specialized health-science collections.?Tina Neville, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Explains why a significant body of scientific research has been largely ignored by cancer research institutions. Hess has clearly demonstrated the valuable role that social scientists can have in offering a neutral perspective on medical research and how it is shaped by cultural bias."

- Townsend Letter

"Hess has made a careful study of one of the most intriguing themes that weaves through the recent history of unconventional approaches to cancer. Every researcher, physician, and general reader interested in this field should welcome this important and incisive contribution."

- Michael Lerner, President, Commonweal, and author of Choices in Healing
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Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814735622
• ISBN-13: 978-0814735626
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,381,278 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, August 1, 2004

By	philosopheRon (Sanford, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can Bacteria Cause Cancer?: Alternative Medicine Confronts Big Science (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book by a qualified science writer on a highly controversial subject. Hess does a good job of bridging the gap between modern cancer research and an age old theory which has---until the recent so-called 'breakthroughs' involving H.Pylori and stomach cancer---been all but debunked. The fact is, the 100 year old bacteria theory is gaining new ground and an accumulation of scientific data is strongly supporting it. Tragically, much-maligned researchers like Virginia Livginston had to pay a price at the hands of an economically driven pharmaceutical/medical establishment that has irresponsibly pushed its own brand of cancer treatments----toxic chemotherapies, radiation, etc.----as if they were the sin que non of science, when in fact, they have shown in case after case to neither prolong, nor advance the quality of life for many forms of cancer at a profit. Since Hess's book was written, more powerful data, and a clearer picture is beginning to emerge which clearly establishes a probable bacteria/cancer link for many forms of cancer, not just gastric and the few others established medicine now is admitting exist. For those interested in ongoing updates and a central overview of the cancer bacteria debate, please visit the non-profit website CANCER BACTERIA HOMEPAGE at http://members.aol.com/CAbacteria/homepage.html - Or visit the web and simply type in CANCER BACTERIA HOMEPAGE