Cancer As a Wake-Up Call

by M. Laura Nasi

A Sloan Kettering trained oncologist's integrative guide to treating, living with, and living better with cancer.

M. Laura Nasi, MD, shows readers how to take an integrative path to healing from cancer with a whole-systems approach to treatment, within a holistic paradigm that encourages patients to become empowered agents of their own care. Her approach doesn't exclude conventional medicine—rather, Dr. Nasi shows readers all the other things they can do besides (or in addition to) therapies like chemo and radiation.

Based on cutting-edge research on the PNIE (psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine) network, Cancer as a Wake-Up Call explores internal and external factors that affect disease etiology, progression, and prognosis, with information on everything from mindfulness meditation, to creating a supportive "cancer team," to vitamins and nutrition.

Genres: Nonfiction

314 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[J.M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, it gives a holistic approach in dealing with cancer in our lives.

[Cavak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nasi presents a condensed and attractive combination of the best of Western and Eastern medicine in regards to cancer treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She includes her advice with snippets of her conversations with past clients, reassuring us that she has indeed spoken the same advice while on the job. There are also bullet point summaries for people who only want quick reminders for each major section. Each are reasonably spaced between her explanations and prevents the book from being a dry technical read.

I would say that Nasi's compassion is one of the greatest assets of the book. She reminds us multiple times that cancer takes many forms and treatment is unique to the individual. Just because your next door neighbor could avoid chemotherapy doesn't mean you will. A healthy diet and yoga alone can't suppress cancer if it has progressed too far into your body. Nasi is careful to never advise a "cure-all alternative" to her client's medical treatment; if you really need the surgery but don't want it, she will tell you to get the surgery.

And she is wise to remind us that mental and emotional health are important too. Cancer is more than a hindrance in our lives. An active and supportive group can lead to unexpected friendships and reunions with distant loved ones. It's a strategic plan for most insecurities, and one that borrows heavily from Eastern practices. Considering the emotional neglect that my family members went through for their respective cancer treatments, I can see where Nasi is coming from for her recommendations. Positivity apt for many families as well.

Nasi's advocation for restoring balance to a person's PNIE may not be groundbreaking, but it is a wholesome reminder that cancer is more than a lump or tumor. Citations and online updates to her information are included too, so it's not all "hooky" New Age garble either. Give it a try if you want to think of cancer as something more than the big elephant in the room.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Not a medical book but a very supportive and insightful perspecitive on whole life ( mind- body-spirit).

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Nasi advocates for a "whole person approach" in conjunction with traditional treatments. She looks at cancer as an overly feared (because cure rates a lot of types of cancer) disease that can lead to a re-evaluation of lives that can bring about a positive change. This book looks at non-traditional ways to address cancer, its symptoms (and the symptoms of the treatments) as well as preventative changes such as mental and nutrition factors. A good reminder of things that you can loose focus on when you or someone you love gets a cancer diagnosis. I received a free ARC of this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaways.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book although I am glad I read it. I don't agree with all of the underlying "rationales" provided but it does provide useful tips on how to de-stress and have a more positive attitude about a crappy situation.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish-lots of nutrition info that can be found elsewhere...not very interesting case histories...

[Kells Hilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am forever grateful for this recommendation. It's holistic while being firmly ground in science, and best of all, it doesn't just tell you to be positive.

[Christen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful messages but a little tough to get through as an Audible. I bet the hard copy would be better!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for making a whole body and mind approach to treatment. Explains western medical knowledge and eastern holistic thinking for a nuanced understanding