The Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Book

Starred review from August 27, 2012
Comprising the expertise of numerous specialists, this exhaustive study of breast cancer is an excellent source of information for those struggling with the disease, as well as an invaluable guide for family members helping a loved one through the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery process. The Mayo Clinic experts provide everything from a basic understanding of cancer, to preventative measures, screening technologies, biopsy methods, a guide to processing the emotions that accompany a diagnosis, current and prospective treatment options, life after cancer, and much moreâall in technical yet accessible language. Interspersed throughout are helpful diagrams (one, for example, shows the difference between invasive and noninvasive cancers) and personal testimonials that highlight the many faces and possible courses of breast cancer. The closing chapters discuss additional topics that will interest patients and their families, such as handling the mental toll and anxiety of cancer, dealing with the side effects of treatments, and complementary medical therapies and their efficacies. Highly recommended for anyone involved in the fight against breast cancerâpatients, doctors, family members, and researchers included. Illus.

September 1, 2012

Medical oncologists and professors at the Mayo Clinic, Hartmann and Loprinzi provide a thorough and detailed reference to add to the breast cancer literature. Directed at patients, the text ranges from disease basics and biology to treatment options, side effects, associated female cancers, and even supportive care in 24 chapters that include targeted sidebars and personal accounts. For comprehensive collections as well as the reference shelf.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2012
This comprehensive guide to breast cancer should be on every woman's must-read list. Mayo Clinic doctors Hartmann and Loprinzi draw on the know-how of their colleagues to spell out what causes cancer, what steps people can take to prevent it, and why everyone should care. Each year, they explain, doctors diagnose cancer in more than 1.5 million Americans, including more than 200,000 with breast cancer. In colorful language, they describe cancer cells as biological anarchists that stop following the rules. The authors don't make patients feel guilty, but they do note that 50 to 75 percent of U.S. cancers arise from lifestyle factors, such as being obese and drinking too much alcohol. The good news is that preventive measures and early detection and treatment mean that today the five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is nearly 90 percent. With an index, many useful resources, and a helpful glossary (who would know that a punch biopsy is the use of a hole-punch-type instrument to remove a sample of skin tissue?), this is a valuable resource that belongs in every library.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)