Book Reviews

Women's Cancers: How to Prevent Them, How to Treat Them, How to Beat Them. By Kerry A. McGinn, RN, NP and Pamela J. Haylock, RN Review by Eve F. Lynch

Do you know when local versus systemic cancer therapies are applied, and why? Do you know the side effects of chemotherapy? Do you even know what cancer really is? Well, undoubtedly you know, but I didn't know, and I bet I'm a lot like the majority of your patientswhich is why the book Women's Cancers: How to Prevent Them, How to Treat Them, How to Beat Them is the perfect prescription for anyone needing well-organized, understandable information on cancer.

This book is written for the layperson, whotrust metypically has no accurate knowledge of cancer. But despite its readability, Women's Cancers is not overly simplistic. On the contrary, topics are covered thoroughly, educating its readers to be able to conduct intelligent discussion with their caregivers. The authors even include lists of suggested questions to inspire such discussion.

The book spans breast cancer, the various gynecologic cancers, and lung and colorectal cancers, the last two being as much "women's cancers" as they are men's. The authors discuss precancerous conditions, risk factors, prevention, screening, staging and grading of cancer, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment (including traditional and alternative therapies), as well as the psychologic, physical, and emotional ramifications of enduring cancer. A great quantity of information is presented without overwhelming the reader. All technical terms are explained at first appearance in the text and can thus be easily understood without the reader having to look up words (although a glossary is included). Further, the authors refer frequently to other texts which the reader can access for even more or different information on cancer; the vast bibliography also serves as a useful resource.

Women's Cancers is written with a compassionate voice. The authors are concerned about the human being behind the cancer diagnosis. They acknowledge the fears attendant upon a suspicion of or diagnosis of cancer and give a prominent place in the book to the psychologic and emotional aspects of enduring a major illness. As an example of the authors' understanding of the feelings that arise upon even the contemplation of cancer, the following occurred while I was reading the book: I was feeling slightly queasy just reading about a technique called wire localization biopsy, used to explore breast abnormalities. The next section is entitled "Feelings About a Biopsy" and begins, "It is scary to have a biopsy or other diagnostic procedure." The section goes on to realistically consider possible feelings when facing a biopsy. What a well-placed section! And how helpful that the authors discuss such things at all. Fear must be a real problem in getting patients to participate in their own care. Identifying areas in which fear may arise and preparing to deal with them is important. The large part of the book dedicated to discussing such things as fear, other people's reactions to illness, life changes due to cancer, and the like may well end up being more important to a patient than understanding the technical aspects of diagnosis and treatment. The authors warn that "life after cancer" normally does not mean that a woman can resume her previously scheduled life, and they discuss the physical and emotional changes a person will be left to work with as well as challenges to be faced in society, such as discrimination from insurers and employers.

Forewarned is forearmed, and the authors know that a woman is better off when armed with information and ideas about how to take part in her own destiny. Meant to empower women through knowledge and inspiration, the book discusses the patient's assembling her own recovery team, made up of doctors, nurse practitioners, practitioners of complementary therapies, support groups, family, friends, and the patient herself. The book's attitude is inspiring, demonstrating that any patient can take action instead of resigning herself to being a "cancer victim."

Women's Cancers, a tool for self-empowerment and a guide on how to live, not just survive, is an ideal book for people with cancer and for those who care about them.

512 p. $19.95. ISBN: 0897932234 Alameda, CA: Hunter House, 1998 [2nd ed.].

Eve F Lynch is a San Francisco attorney, recently retired into motherhood.