Breast Cancer: The Complete Guide: Fifth Edition

Written by two renowned authorities who specialize in the treatment of breast cancer, a surgeon and an oncologist, this lucid step-by-step guide has established itself as the indispensable book women need to make informed decisions about the care that is right for them.

Betty Rollin's quote on the cover of this book sums it up: "Here are the facts -- clear, unterrifying, and important." I purchased this book for myself and my mother when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted us both to be able to read about her disease and learn more about what was going to happen to her without being frightened by statistics and other people's case histories. We have both benefitted from this book because it has helped us to understand the whirlwind of activity that followed her diagnosis. The book is not a comprehensive medical reference; there are other books that do a better job of going into detail (like Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book). But as a readable "guidebook" or handbook to help patients and their families understand the steps involved in the treatment of breast cancer, this book is a very good investment.

This book is a systematic presentation of the medical process a breast cancer patient will go through and the significance of each step. Each issue, test and result is explained. The authors believe that a patient should be an active decisionmaker and advocate of her own interests, and the book is intended to give her the tools to understand and make informed choices about her treatment options and the consequences. This is a terrific overview of the situation, which will make net research much more productive. Clearly written. There is a resources section in the back.