Breast Cancer Basics and Beyond - by Delthia Ricks (Paperback)

About the Book

For most women and their families, a diagnosis of breast cancer is both devastating and confusing. Questions about the disease -- its cause, treatment, and prognosis -- can be overwhelming at such a difficult time. By gathering together all the latest information available on the subject, Breast Cancer Basics and Beyond helps women better understand their illness and enables them to make knowledgeable choices about their care. Among the topics discussed are the pros and cons of different treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, breast reconstruction, recurrence rates, building a support team, follow-up care, and life after cancer. The book also explores current issues such as emerging therapies and examines possible links with obesity, ethnicity, and environmental factors. Top breast cancer specialists and researchers offer comments and testimony, and personal stories from breast cancer survivors provide heartening reminders that the reader is not alone.

Book Synopsis

For most women and their families, a diagnosis of breast cancer is both devastating and confusing. Questions about the disease -- its cause, treatment, and prognosis -- can be overwhelming at such a difficult time. By gathering together all the latest information available on the subject, Breast Cancer Basics and Beyond helps women better understand their illness and enables them to make knowledgeable choices about their care. Among the topics discussed are the pros and cons of different treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, breast reconstruction, recurrence rates, building a support team, follow-up care, and life after cancer. The book also explores current issues such as emerging therapies and examines possible links with obesity, ethnicity, and environmental factors. Top breast cancer specialists and researchers offer comments and testimony, and personal stories from breast cancer survivors provide heartening reminders that the reader is not alone.

Review Quotes

"...immediate and welcome help to breast cancer patients and their families. Ricks' approach is complete, careful, and compassionate." — Robert Cooke, author of Dr. Folkman's War: Angiogenesisand The Struggle to Defeat Cancer

"...the basic facts about breast cancer, framed in the words of survivors, activists, physicians, and nurses." — Booknews.co.uk, Oct. 3, 2005

"...this complete reference will serve as a beacon of hope in the face of a devastating illness." — Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2005

"...this comprehensive guidebook...is...bent on removing the accusatory attitude that women are responsible for their illness. Highly recommended." — Library Journal, September, 2005

"A great read for the breast cancer patient, caregiver, or anyone who wants to know more about breast cancer..." — About.com's Breast Cancer Guide, Oct. 2005

"Ricks does a good job of explaining what lies behind much inaccurate information. ...an excellent resource I can confidently recommend." — Breast Cancer Fund

"this complete reference will serve as a beacon of hope in the face of a devastating illness." — Kirkus Reviews, Nov. 2005

"this comprehensive guidebook [is] bent on removing the accusatory attitude that women are responsible for their illness. Highly recommended." — Library Journal starred review, Sept. 2005

"...put[s] the significance of genetic risk into context for readers." — Health.com, Oct. 2005