Fighting Cancer With Knowledge & Hope

With two of my three steps to Healthy Survivorship mentioned in the subtitle, I had to check out a new release by Yale University Press: Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope.

The author, Richard C. Frank, M.D., holds the titles of Director of Cancer Research at Whittingham Cancer Center in Norwalk, CT, as well as Medical Director of Mid-Fairfield Hospice, Wilton, CT.

(from the cover) Dr. Richard C. Frank empowers patients by unlocking the mysteries of the disease and explaining in plain language the ways to confront and combat it. He explains:

• what cancer is and how it spreads
• how cancer treatment startegies 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 "incurable" cancer
•  and more

Using illustrative case histories, succinct explanations and helpful diagrams, Dr. Frank does an excellent job of translating complicated science into layman's terms (without dummying down the content). Readable and informative, you will breeze through this 204-page book, reading it cover-to-cover or skimming to topics of interest.

I recommend this book because the science-based information can help Healthy Survivors understand what is happening and what they can do to get good care. 

Comments

[Andrew Jaffe]

As a cancer survivor of 10 years, I can attest to the value of this book. I've already given it as a gift to a friend who just was diagnosed. Not only for him but for his wife and caregiver. A cancer diagnosis is so terrifying it turns many of us to jelly. Here's a clear, comprehensive book that helps the patient begin to realize the true nature of the threat and the various treatments that may lead if not to remission than to an extension of life.

[Sandra Tripodi]

Dr. Frank's book offers a practical and thorough overview of what one might expect as they embark upon a cancer journey. I recommend this book to those who are looking for a concise and hopeful guide to navigating through the experience.

[Michelle Dailey]

Dr. Frank's book is clear, comprehensive, and compassionate. As a family therapist who works with cancer patients and their families, I use this book often as a resource when I sit with families and have found it to be very helpful and reassuring -- as if the physician/author is right in the room with us. Patients' response to the book is overwhelmingly positive even when faced with some of the very difficult realities of cancer. The key is right in the sub-title: knowledge AND hope.

I want to also sing the praises of Dr. Harpham's book "When a Parent Has Cancer" which I consider to be the absolute "bible" of books to help the cancer patient/parent guide their children through this experience. "Becky and the Worry Cup" is a wonderful little gift tucked into the back of the book which kids and parents love as it really normalizes feelings and helps opens the door for ongoing family dialogue.

[Lisa Cannella]

Dr. Frank's book is an empowering tool for people with cancer and their loved ones. Knowledge is power and this book provides it offering complex, scientific information clearly and concisely in terminology that is easily understood by the non-scientist. The book conveys Dr. Frank's caring and compassion and it inspires hope in the reader. I reccomend it to anyone who is fighting this battle or who is close to someone with cancer.

[Phyllis Osterman]

Dr. Frank's book is an important resource for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. It is filled with excellent information written in a most comprehensible and compassionate manner. A survivor who recently read it commented to me " I wish I had this book when I was diagnosed". I will continue to recommend it to anyone directly or indirectly dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Dear All,
Wow! Clearly a five-star rating. Thanks for giving my readers the feedback.

BTW, if any of you would like to write a guest review of any of my books, let me know. I'm serious, since I can't write one for my own books. Well, I could, but they would be biased and therefore unreliable. :)

With hope, Wendy