Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide

"A Primer on Prostate Cancer - The Empowered Patient's Guide" provides excellent insight into answering the many questions of the newly diagnosed or recurring Prostate Cancer patient. We recommend its review and strongly recommend that every Prostate Cancer patient purchase the "Primer" not only for himself but for his physician as likely the most authoritative and informative book available that explains the many aspects of Prostate Cancer treatment in medical terms that can be understood by both the layman patient and his attending physician. Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano have provided us the procedures being practiced by those who specialize specifically in Prostate Cancer research and treatment and who are far ahead of their contemporaries in recognizing and understanding the latest innovations in Prostate Cancer therapy. Charles (Chuck) Maack, Program Director, Treasurer, Website Manager, Wichita, Kansas Chapter, Us TOO Intl., Inc. Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network. (...)

This book does an outstanding job of covering the treatment options for prostate cancer. It is a particularly good place to start for a newly diagnosed man (or his wife or family members) in learning about the disease. The clear readable presentation and excellent color illustrations set this book above others on the same subject. It should be required reading for the newly diagnosed man.

I was so lucky to have Prostate Cancer diagnosed shortly after this book came out. How different it could have been if decisions were/are being made with out it. I have only be diagnosed for a few days now, but will try to take baby steps, as advised by authors, to make my best choices. I was very lucky to read "PCa for Dummies" first ,followed by others including Walsh's. Prostate Cancer is really Greek in some ways and in so many areas, but I think one has to read the "Primer" selectively for specific questions or information as they pop up. A basic non-threatening book; e.g., the "Dummy" book wasn't nearly as great as the "Primer," but it made reading this book easier and truly meaningful. I can only suggest that it be available in hardback, since I am sure it will wear out while I keep going back to it and showing it to others, including my doctors. One immediate benefit was the fact that the doctor wanted to give me some hormone therapy in the wrong order. Such a mistake could make my cancer grow even faster! In some ways, I don't think I have a lot of time to look for answers, but I am now convinced that I will have made the best choices that I can. I hope this book becomes the true "bible" of those of us who live with, but not necessarily die from Prostate Cancer.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, January 2004. My urologist told me to "get informed on your disease" and gave me the titles of a couple of books he recommended. "A Primer on Prostate Cancer: The Empowered Patient's Guide " was not one on his list. - It should have been! A fellow prostate cancer patient loaned me his copy. I have my own now. "The Primer" is a classic! Before reading "The Primer" I ordered "The Prostate" by Dr. Patrick Walsh and Janet Worthington - a good, but out of date book,especially when discussing Cryosurgery with only 2 pages devoted to the procedure. In contrast "The Primer" explains Cryosurgery in great and up-to-date detail. It devotes 7 full pages with excellent color diagrams to Cryo - an often neglected and misunderstood treatment option. I also read "Prostate & Cancer"(Revised Edition) by Dr. Sheldon Marks. This is a much more basic guide in a Q & A format. Once again it is dated and brief as to Cryotherapy as a treatment option. I found "The Primer" to be through on all treatment strategies without being too technical. It is "accurate and balanced".Current testing procedures, treatment options, and data are presented in a easy to access and understand format! The blue, green red color coding of sentences of special importance make the book easy to "skim" for key information and guidance. The physician notes are invaluable sources of "real patient" information. This makes the book personal and "alive" with actual patient histories.There are other helps on the various treatment strategies but the "key" to this book is found on page 72 where the authors outline an approach to achieve the best outcome for any prostate cancer patient. This paragraph alone is worth the price of the book! I hope the authors will keep "The Primer" current with a "revised edition" in about 5 years! "The Primer" is a "must read" book for the newly diagnosed or post-treatment patient! It will remain as a reference work as I help others become "empowered patients" as the authors of this excellent guide have helped me to become. Thanks, Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano. Your book has/will help thousands of men! We are grateful. I recommend this book without reservation.

Dr. Stephen Strum and Donna Pogliano have written an excellent book which will guide both patient and physician, alike, to optimal care in the treatment of prostate cancer. Easy to read and understand, color coded for quick reference, basic and advanced information depending on the readers interest, it's all there. I use it as my prostate cancer bible and even carry it with me to PCa support group meetings. When discussions raise a question, we find the answer. The dedication of these two people in producing a text of this quality will change the way men will be able to live with PCa and will impact the quality of life of those men who may eventually die from prostate cancer.