The Activist Cancer Patient - by Beverly Zakarian (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during his or her lifetime. Many patients, frightened by the diagnosis, surrender themselves completely to their doctor's control and become only marginally involved in the decision-making process and management of their own treatment. Cancer survivor Beverly Zakarian asserts that cancer patients can greatly increase their survival chances by taking an active role in their treatment. This book educates cancer patients on locating sources of legitimate cancer treatments that run the gamut from little-known ones to the very latest experimental therapies or drug trials. Based on her own experience and extensive research, the author discusses working constructively with a doctor, researching and evaluating treatment, and gaining access to the state-of-the-art and even experimental treatments.

From the Back Cover

Improve Your Odds of Surviving Cancer

Cancer survivor Beverly Zakarian knows firsthand that you can improve your odds of surviving cancer if you take an active role in your treatment. Now, you too can discover the benefits of taking charge. After all, you and your disease are unique, and so is your path to good health. Even the most caring of doctors needs your help to determine which treatment is best for you.

With this inspiring, practical book, Beverly Zakarian gives you step-by-step guidelines that will empower you to work with your doctor and within the medical system to find the most effective treatment options. Armed with the resources in this book, you'll be able to use activist techniques to: Talk intelligently with your physician and make informed decisions Research state-of-the-art treatments Understand how drug trials actually work Discover what ""experimental treatment"" really means Search out relevant medical journals and access reliable databases Enlist the help of medical specialists and support groups

About the Author

BEVERLY ZAKARIAN is Executive Director and a cofounder of CAN ACT (Cancer Patients Action Alliance), the first activist cancer-patient organization and the first to identify the critical role of the FDA in the survival of people with the disease. As the spokesperson for CAN ACT, Ms. Zakarian has represented patient views before Congress, the President's Cancer Panel, and the FDA, and has written numerous articles about treatment issues. Ms. Zakarian lives in Brooklyn, New York.