American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide
 | Editors: David R. Goldman MD, FACP and David A. Horowitz, MD OncoLink Rating:   |
This book is a comprehensive resource that will benefit every member of the family at every stage of life. It is an encyclopedic reference of all common medical conditions, including most cancers. With the backing of the American College of Physicians, this reference can be considered one of the most authoritative and reliable resources available.
David R. Goldman, MD, FACP is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Senior Deputy Editor of the Annals of Internal Medicine. David A. Horwitz, MD is an Assistant Professor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The two editors have compiled a team of over 70 medical experts to create this wonderful reference. The writers assume no baseline medical background and completely define all medical terms.
The book is divided into five major sections including: 1) Taking control of your health, 2) Assessing your symptoms, 3) Looking for disease, 4) Your body and disease and 5) Treating disease. There is a strong emphasis on the prevention and screening of disease throughout the book. Every description of a self-examination for cancer includes pictures and diagrams. The text is loaded with over 2000 color pictures, graphs, charts, diagrams and tables that make it easy for the reader to assimilate the information. The discussion of each diagnosis is organized in a similar fashion. The disease is initially defined and followed by a chart that explains the relationship to age, gender, genetics, and lifestyle. There is then a full description of the disease, review of presenting symptoms, details on making the diagnosis, and discussion of treatment options and prognosis.
The book even includes a free CD-ROM of "The ultimate human body." This interactive multimedia CD will guide the user through the anatomy and functions of each major organ system of the human body. This is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to learn about anatomy and physiology. Additional programs can be accessed from an Internet site.
The text includes an excellent section about basic first aid. There is a comprehensive drug glossary that lists medications by generic and brand names with a description of uses. There is also a list of support groups and organizations that can help with various medical problems.
The American College of Physicians Complete Home Medical Guide is one of the best comprehensive health resources currently available. Although not specifically directed to the cancer patient, this reference will find an important place in every home. It receives OncoLink's highest recommendation.