Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy Third Edition
 | Author: Malin Dollinger, M.D., Ernest H. Rosenbaum, M.D., and Greg Cable   |
The revised third edition of Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy is an excellent reference for any patient, family member, or health care provider. The book is a comprehensive guide that empowers cancer patients to participate in making appropriate decisions with their doctors.
Malin R. Dollinger, M.D. is clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He also serves as Vice President of Medical Affairs at the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Ernest H. Rosenbaum is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. Greg Cable has been a writer in publishing, television, film and education. He has also co-authored several books. There are numerous contributors to this book who are experts in the field of cancer.
The book is an excellent guide to many of the issues faced by cancer patients. The authors state "our aim is to describe in easily understood language the details and consequences of the particular cancer you or someone close to you may be confronting." Confusing medical jargon is defined and explained completely. The authors make good use of illustrations and diagrams throughout the book.
The book is divided into five major sections. Section one deals with issues surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. There are helpful chapters describing surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Section two addresses supportive care of the cancer patient. Section three includes a number of important chapters that discuss quality of life issues. Section four contains chapters that address new advances in research, cancer risk assessment, diagnosis and treatment options. Section five contains chapters that deal with specific cancers. Each of these chapters is organized to include the risk factors, screening, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment by stage and type, and follow-up of specific cancers. Each chapter ends with a section titled "The most important questions to ask your doctor." The appendix section includes a comprehensive glossary of medical terms, a listing of anticancer and related drugs and their side effects, a resource section with suggested readings, and directory of cancer associations and support groups.
Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy is a comprehensive overview of cancer that deserves a place on any cancer patient's bookshelf. The book is well-written, complete, and up to date. Overall, the book is excellent. It is highly recommended by OncoLink as a reference for both patients and health care providers.