Breast Cancer: Books - Online and Print

"Highly recommended," wrote the Library Journal (August 1995) about the 1st Edition. The 2nd Edition adds 80 pages of text & references providing decisive evidence against claims that X-rays are "safe" at low levels, & responding to critiques of the 1st Edition. Both editions evaluate personal & national radiation risk from mammography. This book, for families & their physicians, is not about early detection of breast cancer. It is about PREVENTION. Dr. Gofman, a world-renowned physician & researcher, shows that past exposure to ionizing radiation -- primarily medical X-rays -- is responsible for about 75 percent of breast-cancer cases (USA). But today's task is NOT to reject medical uses of radiation, which are often very beneficial. The task is to obtain those benefits with HALF THE HARM, by requiring quality assurance systems which can cut today's average X-ray dosage in half. "Every action which reduces unnecessary breast irradiation is GUARANTEED to prevent a share of future breast-cancers which would otherwise occur," says Gofman. Therefore his book urges cancer groups to organize elimination of careless radiation overdosing. "It is wrong to wait. Radiation-induced cancers diagnosed 5 to 50 years from today, are being generated by careless overdosing NOW."

This practical handbook provides a clear and comprehensive evidence-based primary-care guide to the care of women in ambulatory practice, intended for general and family practitioners, nurses, physicians' assistants and all those who practise primary care of women. It emphasizes preventive care and well-woman care throughout the lifecycle of a woman, including sexuality, contraception, medical care in pregnancy, psychological and important medical concerns. It stresses the strength of evidence underlying common practices of care of women. It recognises and pays heed to the cultural, social and psychological differences that impact on women's health It conveys a consistently positive message in terms of seeking solutions to women's health care problems and emphasizes preventive health care It provides insightful tips and checklists to highlight women's common health problems and effective evidence-based treatment Suitable for health care workers of all levels and specialties who practise primary care of women

Winner of the 2009 Lora Romero First Book Prize from the American Studies Association 2009ChoiceOutstanding Academic Title Migrant Imaginariesexplores the transnational movements of Mexican migrants in pursuit of labor and civil rights in the United States from the 1920s onward. Working through key historical moments such as the 1930s, the Chicano Movement, and contemporary globalization and neoliberalism, Alicia Schmidt Camacho examines the relationship between ethnic Mexican expressive culture and the practices sustaining migrant social movements. Combining sustained historical engagement with theoretical inquiries, she addresses how struggles for racial and gender equity, cross-border unity, and economic justice have defined the Mexican presence in the United States since 1910. Schmidt Camacho covers a range of archives and sources, including migrant testimonials and songs, Amrico Parede’s last published novel,The Shadow, the filmSalt of the Earth, the foundational manifestos of El Movimiento, Richard Rodriguez’s memoirs, narratives by Marisela Norte and Rosario Sanmiguel, andtestimoniosof Mexican women workers and human rights activists, as well as significant ethnographic research. Throughout, she demonstrates how Mexicans and Mexican Americans imagined their communal ties across the border, and used those bonds to contest their noncitizen status.Migrant Imaginariesplaces migrants at the center of the hemisphere’s most pressing concerns, contending that border crossers have long been vital to social change.

"In this timely and empowering book, Altman examines the latest scientific and medical findings, pinpoints the problems that still exist, explains what the medical establishment needs to do - and tells breast cancer patients what they can do now. She lucidly describes what we know about the causes of breast cancer: hormonal factors, environmental hazards, smoking, and heredity, including the newly discovered breast cancer gene. She discusses the tainted data in some large National Cancer Institute studies. And she tells us about research on diet, exercise, and other precautionary measures that might help prevent the disease." "Zeroing in on the many controversies that swirl around diagnosis and treatment, Altman questions why so many women are still getting mastectomies when studies show that survival rates are the same with lumpectomies. She discusses the ongoing mammography debate and examines both sides of the debate over the hormonal drug tamoxifen. And she looks at the recent dispute over silicone breast implants." "Finally, Altman turns to the social, economic, and political ramifications of breast cancer. She shows how breast cancer patients often face problems with health insurance, job discrimination, and sexual relationships. She criticizes the medical establishment for its long-standing neglect of breast cancer and other women's health issues. And she shows how a national network of breast cancer activists has dramatically increased public awareness of the disease while putting pressure on the doctors and politicians to increase research and improve treatment."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

If you think there's no way to prevent cancer, you're wrong. Let the experts at the world's most distinguished cancer research and treatment center help you to design a personal program to increase your odds of staying cancer free. * Take stock of your personal risk. Use a family tree and other charts to assess your risk for the major cancers -- and keep a predisposition from turning into a disease. * Redefine "The good life" to give yourself a long life. Enjoy the benefits of physical activity without becoming an exercise nut. * Safeguard your work and home environments. Discover how to use common household products safely. * Reduce the toll of stress. Learn the basics -- without the bunk -- about visualization, biofeedback, acupuncture, and hypnotherapy. * Adopt sensible screening procedures. Learn which common tests you should have, when, and why. Clear, concise, and comprehensive, Cancer Free explains exactly what you can do for your health, now and for the decades to come.

Unnatural History explores the change over the last two centuries from isolated, private fears to an immense individual and collective risk of breast cancer. The book begins with the experiences of a Quaker woman diagnosed with breast cancer in 1812 and ends with our problematic era in which almost every woman is waiting for â€~the axe to fall'. In between, the book traces changes in the beliefs and values of women and their doctors, medical knowledge and technology, clinical and public health practices, and the biological impact of the disease. The picture that emerges from Unnatural History is that our clinical, public health, and societal responses to breast cancer have radically transformed the experience of disease and its apparent societal impact, without necessarily having had much effect on the disease's biological devastation. Unnatural History suggests that we have oversold both the fear of breast cancer and the effectiveness of screening and treatment, leading to miscalculation at the individual and societal levels.

"Tamoxifen is one of the most widely prescribed drugs used to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. A nonsteroidal antiestrogen, it has been successful in treating postmenopausal women at nearly all stages of breast cancer. Despite its popularity, disturbing questions remain about the use of this drug. How effective is tamoxifen in treating patients who have hormone-insensitive breast tumors or who have not yet reached menopause? What are the potential risks in taking tamoxifen, and do they ever outweigh its benefits? Should tamoxifen be administered as a prophylactic drug for healthy premenopausal women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer?" "In this vitally important book, two leading scientific investigators present a balanced and accessible discussion of the diagnosis of breast cancer and the risks, benefits, and limitations of treatment alternatives, particularly tamoxifen. Michael W. DeGregorio and Valerie J. Wiebe discuss the history and evolution of tamoxifen as a treatment for breast cancer, explaining how it works, what its side effects are, and why tamoxifen treatment is unsuccessful for some women. They present the controversies surrounding the National Cancer Institute study of tamoxifen as a preventive for breast cancer, describing the hopes of the proponents of the study and the fears of its detractors (potential risks to women in the study include thrombosis, uterine cancer, and even breast cancer itself). The book is an invaluable aid to women faced with decisions about treatment or prevention of breast cancer."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Women have been writing about cancer for decades, but since the early 1990s, the body of literature on cancer has increased exponentially as growing numbers of women face the searing realities of the disease and give testimony to its ravages and revelations. Fractured Borders: Reading Women's Cancer Literaturesurveys a wide range of contemporary writing about breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, including works by Marilyn Hacker, Margaret Edson, Carole Maso, Audre Lorde, Eve Sedgwick, Mahasweta Devi, Lucille Clifton, Alicia Ostriker, Jayne Anne Phillips, Terry Tempest Williams, and Jeanette Winterson, among many others. DeShazer's readings bring insights from body theory, performance theory, feminist literary criticism, French feminisms, and disability studies to bear on these works, shining new light on a literary subject that is engaging more and more writers. "An important and useful book that will appeal to people in a variety of fields and walks of life, including scholars, teachers, and anyone interested in this subject." --Suzanne Poirier, University of Illinois at Chicago "A book on a timely and important topic, wisely written beyond scholarly boundaries and crossing many theoretical and disciplinary lines." --Patricia Moran, University of California, Davis

A diagnosis of breast cancer is among the most frightening moments in a person’s life--so frightening that even to formulate questions for the doctor may seem impossible. This helpful book is written as a guide for women and men facing breast cancer and for their caring families and friends. It is also written for women who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer but are concerned that they may be. Drawing on her many years of experience with breast cancer patients, Dr. Ruth H. Grobstein provides exactly the information they want and need in order to make the best health decisions. Her jargon-free book deals with general issues of interest to all women--mammography, hormone replacement therapy, risk factors for breast cancer, and more--as well as the numerous issues that patients diagnosed with breast cancer confront. Her book will be an indispensable companion, providing reliable information for patients on the journey through a sometimes confusing and impersonal medical system.

"Breast cancer may very well be history's oldest malaise, known as well to the ancients as it is to us. The women who have endured it share a unique sisterhood. Queen Atossa and Dr. Jerri Nielsen--separated by era and geography, by culture, religion, politics, economics, and world view--could hardly have been more different. Born 2,500 years apart, they stand as opposite bookends on the shelf of human history. One was the most powerful woman in the ancient world, the daughter of an emperor, the mother of a god; the other is a twenty-first-century physician with a streak of adventure coursing through her veins. From the imperial throne in ancient Babylon, Atossa could not have imagined the modern world, and only in the driest pages of classical literature could Antarctica-based Jerri Nielsen even have begun to fathom the Near East five centuries before the birth of Christ. For all their differences, however, they shared a common fear that transcends time and space."--from Bathsheba's Breast In 1967, an Italian surgeon touring Amsterdam's Rijks museum stopped in front of Rembrandt's Bathsheba at Her Bath, on loan from the Louvre, and noticed an asymmetry to Bathsheba's left breast; it seemed distended, swollen near the armpit, discolored, and marked with a distinctive pitting. With a little research, the physician learned that Rembrandt's model, his mistress Hendrickje Stoffels, later died after a long illness, and he conjectured in a celebrated article for an Italian medical journal that the cause of her death was almost certainly breast cancer. A horror known to every culture in every age, breast cancer has been responsible for the deaths of 25 million women throughout history. An Egyptian physician writing 3,500 years ago concluded that there was no treatment for the disease. Later surgeons recommended excising the tumor or, in extreme cases, the entire breast. This was the treatment advocated by the court physician to sixth-century Byzantine empress Theodora, the wife of Justinian, though she chose to die in pain rather than lose her breast. Only in the past few decades has treatment advanced beyond disfiguring surgery. In Bathsheba's Breast, historian James S. Olson--who lost his left hand and forearm to cancer while writing this book--provides an absorbing and often frightening narrative history of breast cancer told through the heroic stories of women who have confronted the disease, from Theodora to Anne of Austria, Louis XIV's mother, who confronted "nun's disease" by perfecting the art of dying well, to Dr. Jerri Nielson, who was dramatically evacuated from the South Pole in 1999 after performing a biopsy on her own breast and self-administering chemotherapy. Olson explores every facet of the disease: medicine's evolving understanding of its pathology and treatment options; its cultural significance; the political and economic logic that has dictated the terms of a war on a "woman's disease"; and the rise of patient activism. Olson concludes that, although it has not yet been conquered, breast cancer is no longer the story of individual women struggling alone against a mysterious and deadly foe.

The first cultural history of breast cancer, this book examines the social attitudes and medical treatments that together defined the modern relationship between women with the disease and their doctors. At the heart of the book are two unpublished correspondences-one between Barbara Mueller, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer eighty years ago, and her surgeon, William Steward Halsted, father of the radical mastectomy, and the other between Rachel Carson, who was writingSilent Springas she was battling breast cancer, and her personal physician George Crile, Jr.

Two decades ago, a diagnosis of breast cancer meant only one thing: mastectomy. A revolution in treatment has given those now afflicted a choice of treatment options far beyond this draconian cure-all. Written by a noted health journalist and former patient, Understanding Breast Cancer offers reliable, up-to-date information on today's most effective treatments. With insights and advice from breast cancer patients who experienced different diagnoses and levels of treatment, Joy Ogden candidly shows how an informed and proactive approach can turn a cancer patient into one of a legion of cancer survivors.

This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to male breast cancer (also breast cancer male; breast cancer man; Cancer breast; Carcinoma of the breast), from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on male breast cancer. Given patients' increasing sophistication in using the Internet, abundant references to reliable Internet-based resources are provided throughout this sourcebook. Where possible, guidance is provided on how to obtain free-of-charge, primary research results as well as more detailed information via the Internet. E-book and electronic versions of this sourcebook are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). Hard-copy users of this sourcebook can type cited Web addresses directly into their browsers to obtain access to the corresponding sites. In addition to extensive references accessible via the Internet, chapters include glossaries of technical or uncommon terms.

This book by a scientist whose background is in cellular and molecular biology examines the fearsome disease that strikes one in eight women in the United States. Although women are more likely to die of heart disease or of lung cancer, a diagnosis of breast cancer is the medical pronouncement that a woman is most likely to fear. It kills more than 40,000 Americans annually. Why are some women more vulnerable than others? The interplay between genetics and environment is suspected. Thus this book for general readers will help them understand the genetic bases of both sporadic and inherited breast cancers. Although only five to ten percent of breast cancer patients have inherited mutations in these genes, all women need to understand the genetic implications of the disease. In clear, concise language Barbara T. Zimmerman guides the reader through the complexities, discussing in detail the genes that are known to increase susceptibility and the ways they are passed on. Examining the general biology of breast cancer, Zimmerman describes how sporadic and inherited forms of the disease arise and how the location of the tumors can affect the body. She discusses genetic mutations and their roles in the development of tumors and tells how these potentially cancer-inducing genes were discovered. Covered too are the issues of risk, prevention, screening, diagnosis, therapy, and genetic testing and counseling. Zimmerman concludes with a comprehensive analysis of current research and with an emphasis on how a woman's understanding of inherited breast cancer can help doctors seeking to design better methods for prevention and therapy. A useful list of resources for further information about the genetic causes of breast cancer is included. Barbara T. Zimmerman did her graduate work in experimental pathology and her post-doctoral research in the cellular and molecular processes of disease. Widely published, she is the manager of the Denver-based firm Biomedical Communication and Consulting.

The only breast cancer recovery program designed by a Harvard doctor and survivor and approved by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Feel healthy again. Regain control of your life. Exciting new research reveals that regular exercise can reduce the chance of breast cancer recurrence and extend your life. Exercise can also help you recover energy, strength, and flexibility diminished by lifesaving breast cancer treatments. Dr. Carolyn Kaelin is a leading breast cancer surgeon who understands the important links among exercise, recovery, and the quality of life--and she is a breast cancer survivor, too. Designed with master trainers Josie Gardner and Joy Prouty, The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan features effective, inspiring workouts tailored for each type of surgery and adapted for differing fitness levels. Feel strong again and Improve your flexibility and balance Rebuild your muscles Protect your bones Enhance your appearance, vitality, and all-around health For more information on Dr. Kaelin about breast cancer treatment and recovery, read her award-winning book Living Through Breast Cancer.

A compassionate and uniquely authoritative guide to surviving breast cancer Dr. Carolyn M. Kaelin is nationally recognized as a leading expert on breast cancer. At the age of 42, this highly respected cancer surgeon and the director of the prestigious Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, one of Harvard Medical School's main hospitals, had a young family and demanding career. When she discovered that she had breast cancer, she was suddenly transformed from doctor to patient--and learned firsthand just how this terrible disease makes women question their sense of self. Now, following a mastectomy and an ongoing course of chemotherapy, her prognosis is good and her passion and commitment to helping other women with breast cancer is greater than ever. In a book that will be a source of priceless information and much-needed understanding and support for women with all forms of breast cancer, Dr. Kaelin provides the most up-to-date information on virtually every aspect of the disease, both as a top specialist in the field and as a survivor. Compassionate, comprehensive, and uniquely authoritative, Living Through Breast Cancer provides women with: State-of-the-art medical knowledge interwoven with hard-won advice on dealing with the emotional and aesthetic ramifications of breast cancer and its treatment The most complete guidance on treatment options, maintaining health after cancer, feeling and looking good, and keeping one's sense of self while getting through each day Groundbreaking information on exercise techniques that can significantly reduce the chance of recurrence and nutritional advice to improve overall health

Edited by leaders in the field of breast disease (Dr. Singletary chairs the Breast Cancer Committee for the American College of Surgeons), this book offers first-hand advice on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and reconstruction by recognized authorities. The work features the personal treatment protocols of physicians and surgeons specializing in breast disease. Conditions covered include benign and malignant tumours, endocrine and traumatic disorders, and adolescent and adult problems in both women and men

'In this highly readable book about a personal way of dealing with potentially life-threatening illness, we follow author, broadcaster and acclaimed poet Myra Schneider through her journey from diagnosis to recovery from breast cancer. One of the book's special gifts is to make us feel we are engaged in an absorbing conversation with a friend, a friend who is full of courage, sensitivity and hope, but manages at the same time to be completely honest about the terror, anger and times of darkness that such a diagnosis brings.' - Caduceus 'Although, as its title suggests, this book concentrates on writing for cancer sufferers, its advice is equally valid for people suffering from other problems, whether physical, emotional or practical. It shows the empowering effect of writing; how it can help to make sense when the world chaotic; how it can keep you focused when your life is falling apart. This is an inspiring read, made so by the author's frankness, warmth and honesty, which breathe through the pages.' - Writing Magazine 'Reading someone else's journal is so engaging; When that person is a poet and has experienced a life threatening illness, the reading becomes inspiring. Myra Schneider is not only a poet and author but also a teacher. Her guide lines for therapeutic writing are clear and had me reaching for a pen. It would be a very valuable book for most clients who have been, or are going through, illness or any difficult experience, to try the visualisations and writing ideas. These, and the whole book, would be extremely useful for therapists working in any setting. Buy it!' - HCPJ 'Myra, an established poet and author of a handbook on writing for personal development, clearly found her writing enormously supportive throughout the cancer experience. She clearly and simply offers exercises and routes to self-expression and exploration.' - The British Journal of General Practice 'In this moving account [Myra Schneider] tackles with endearing honesty her personal experience of breast cancer. Myra takes us from diagnosis through the long painful route to recovery by developing the journal she decided to keep through her experiences. By sharing her journal with us, Myra has provided a window onto an experience which many people, finding themselves in a similar situation, will take comfort and inspiration from.' - Lapidus Magazine 'While this book provides an intimate portrayal of the author's experience of breast cancer, the writing is often humorous and ultimately uplifting. It will be of interest to people with breast cancer and to those supporting them, and to health professionals for the psychological insights offered.' - Breast Cancer Care News Diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2000, poet and author Myra Schneider turned to her writing to help her come to terms with the experience. In this thoughtful and readable book, she illustrates how writing helped her through diagnosis, treatment and recovery as well as the change in self-image following her mastectomy. In her frank expression of intense fear, anger and doubt, Myra Schneider includes notes and finished poems written during her period of recovery. She also offers practical support in the form of therapeutic writing suggestions for cancer sufferers, whether they are experienced authors or have never written before. Bringing together an unsparing but ultimately uplifting first-hand account of life with cancer and advice about writing as therapy, this engaging and positive book shows the benefits of expressing the self through writing. It will provide inspiration and support to anyone affected by cancer and useful insight for professionals involved in the care of cancer patients.