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The Decision: Your prostate biopsy shows cancer. Now what?: Medical insight, personal stories, and humor by a urologist who has been where you are now.
Over 200,000 times a year in the U.S. a patient will leave his urologist's office having been told he has prostate cancer. What the patient thought to be a disease of old men from which they do not die, now becomes a very complicated and frustrating dilemma about which treatment to pursue. "The Decision" offers the reader an insider's view to the key issues necessary for a well thought-out treatment plan peculiar only to him. Being a urologist who treats prostate cancer and having had the disease as well, uniquely positions the author in offering guidance to the newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient. Dr. McHugh outlines a novel and multifaceted approach, using an eclectic mix of medical insight ,personal stories and humor, to aid the reader in making his "Decision." The US Review of Books - Carolyn Davis A urologist, McHugh, was inspired to write this informative book after he developed prostate cancer and dealt with treatment options as a patient. Part guidebook, part autobiography, it is intended for men who are facing the often perplexing choices of potential treatments. "Prostate stories" and more of McHugh's autobiography complete the book. The Decision is recommended for its combination of empirical tools, personal anecdotes, and overall compassion. Clarion ForeWard Five Star out of Five Book McHugh has written an invaluable tool for the man facing the decision of how to treat his prostate cancer. This reviewer too knows of what he speaks, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer nearly six years ago. He had robotic surgery and is living an active, cancer-free life. John Michael Senger April 28, 2011
230 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2026
The Decision offers a thoughtful and accessible guide for men facing the difficult uncertainty that can follow a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Dr. John C. McHugh brings a distinctive perspective, combining more than twenty years of experience treating prostate cancer with his own experience as a patient.
Rather than overwhelming readers with a conventional medical textbook, the book focuses on the questions and considerations that can matter when evaluating treatment options.
I particularly appreciated the personal dimension, which gives the medical discussion a more relatable and human quality.
The combination of medical insight, personal stories, and humor helps make a complicated subject easier for readers to approach.
McHugh’s experience allows him to address the decision-making process from both the physician’s and patient’s perspectives.
The book should be especially valuable to newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients, family members, and anyone seeking a clearer understanding of the treatment decision process.
A compassionate and practical resource for readers navigating one of the most challenging decisions that can follow a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Dr. John C. McHugh brings a distinctive perspective, combining more than twenty years of experience treating prostate cancer with his own experience as a patient.
Rather than overwhelming readers with a conventional medical textbook, the book focuses on the questions and considerations that can matter when evaluating treatment options.
I particularly appreciated the personal dimension, which gives the medical discussion a more relatable and human quality.
The combination of medical insight, personal stories, and humor helps make a complicated subject easier for readers to approach.
McHugh’s experience allows him to address the decision-making process from both the physician’s and patient’s perspectives.
The book should be especially valuable to newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients, family members, and anyone seeking a clearer understanding of the treatment decision process.
A compassionate and practical resource for readers navigating one of the most challenging decisions that can follow a prostate cancer diagnosis.
February 19, 2022
If you have a family member or friend with prostate cancer, this book is a must read. As a female, I knew nothing about prostate cancer, Gleason scores or even PSA’s. I always thought that prostate cancer was a “little” inconvenience and that you die WITH it, not FROM it.
I hope that those who have to make the decision (or help a spouse, father, or friend make the treatment decision) will read this book. The personal stories and explanations of procedures and outcomes is unique to each person. While the radiologist or urologist may not spend the time to tell you all you need to know about the different options, this book (read in advance of those appointments) will help you pin down the questions that need to be asked.
I hope that those who have to make the decision (or help a spouse, father, or friend make the treatment decision) will read this book. The personal stories and explanations of procedures and outcomes is unique to each person. While the radiologist or urologist may not spend the time to tell you all you need to know about the different options, this book (read in advance of those appointments) will help you pin down the questions that need to be asked.
March 5, 2021
Easy to read, helpful resource
My husband was just diagnosed with prostate cancer and we've decided on a treatment plan but I wanted to strengthen my grasp of all the aspects of this cancer and the various side effects of treatment. Dr McHugh writes in a very easy going but very expertly informed style and I read the book in 2 days, shouting out interesting tidbits to my man. I appreciate this book very much.
My husband was just diagnosed with prostate cancer and we've decided on a treatment plan but I wanted to strengthen my grasp of all the aspects of this cancer and the various side effects of treatment. Dr McHugh writes in a very easy going but very expertly informed style and I read the book in 2 days, shouting out interesting tidbits to my man. I appreciate this book very much.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews