Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers

Yale University Press Health & Wellness

by Richard C. Frank, Gale V. Parsons (Illustrator)

Anyone who is diagnosed with cancer receives a frightening blow, and in many cases the diagnosis is accompanied by a bewildering array of treatment choices. In this invaluable book, Dr. Richard C. Frank offers comfort and help to cancer patients, their families, and their caretakers. Dr. Frank empowers patients by unlocking the mysteries of the disease and explaining in plain language the ways to confront and combat it.   An award-winning medical oncologist recognized for his humanitarian approach as well as his research accomplishments, Dr. Frank understands that cancer patients and their families need insight into the disease along with a sense of control. He therefore addresses these vital –what cancer is and how it spreads –how cancer treatment strategies are chosen –how cancer-fighting drugs work to shut down the growth of the disease –which factors affect a patient’s prognosis –how patients can visualize cancer treatments at work in the body and why this is helpful –how to deal with “uncurable” cancer –and more.   With a wealth of patient case histories, helpful coping strategies from cancer survivors, and up-to-date information on useful resources, Fighting Cancer is the book cancer patients and their loved ones can turn to with confidence and hope.

280 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2009

Reviews

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book about cancer. It goes into enough detail about the treatment and about cancer so you can understand what's going on. I did prefer "Cancer is a word not a sentence" and would possibly encourage it first and this one second if the person wanted more information. This also has links to where to go if that still isn't enough.

This is one of the good, Cancer is a lottery, books. I found it fairly readable (I will admit to skimming some of it, but then again I do know a lot about my own cancer and using it as a reference point for worth of the read)

Worthwhile, I like the authors style, he doesn't talk down to you like many others do, but tries to bring you on the journey with knowledge and some power.

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains cancer well. An enjoyable read. Not a text book. Encouraging anecdotes.

"It is important to note that although diet plays a prominent role in the prevention of cancer and in helping patients better tolerate cancer therapies, diet alone has not been shown to be effective as a cancer treatment."

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many medical terms, I felt it was over my head. What I understood I liked. Reread one year later, April 2019, understood it much better.