Rating: 
Summary: Self-help without the hype...it makes sense to me!
Review: As a lawyer, I am very skeptical of wild claims. Dr. Bob has done a good job explaining the significance of new research in the field, providing balanced advice concerning the advantages and disadvantages of various dietary strategies, and creating the framework for a lifelong cancer prevention program. At times, he misstates the exact findings or methodologies of certain studies, but in general the punch line is correct. Carbohydrate selection is only part of the prescription, but for anyone who has considered a carbohydrate restriction diet (Sugar Busters, Zone, Protein Power, Atkins, etc., or McDougall Maximum Weight Loss) but held back because weight loss or heart health was not enough reason to switch, here is yet another voice in support of glucose control as a crucial determinant of health. The book's most glaring omission, as others have mentioned, is the absence of recipes in the menu plans; also, some of the glycemic index tables appear to be redundant and/or contradictory. Overall, I recommend this book highly.
Rating: 
Summary: It is a suggestion worth contemplating that is without harm.
Review: My mother's two sisters have had masectomies, and I am sure that I am a good candidate for breast cancer. There are no other preventitive steps in existence at this time. As his book does not promise results, it is a healthy diet whether its results are proven or not. Although it is a preliminary study and won't be proven for possibly ten years or maybe more, what is the harm of eating correctly? It is not as if he is telling us to ingest drugs. These theories are believed to be true by many scientists and doctors in the field although they cannot be proven until more research is done. I would rather eat these foods, and possibly keep my breasts before I have to go through chemotherapy or die. Why not try? I have spoken to a woman who had nine months to live and refused chemo. She went on a diet quite the same as Dr. Arnot's. This was in 1970. She is 76 years old today. I never assume that people know everything and I imagine that foods that come from natural sources are better for you than anything we can manufacture.
Rating:
Summary: Better now, than later...
Review: First, every woman I care about, my friends, sisters, mom, etc., will be getting a copy of this book as their next gift from me! Dr. Arnot gives example after example of medical research PLUS lifestyles of women all over the world showing better health than most Americans, revealing what scientists believe attribute to it! Unless every word and Doctor, or school referenced are all liars, this book is a LIFESAVE. Scientist have come a long way. They don't just say "don't eat this, but eat that" and you'll be fine. That's too simple. They know much more than that now and we need to take advantage of that. If they say breakfast is important, always eat SOMETHING, than that's what we should do! If you want a fiction book, or an easy fix, or if you want to ramble about how research in mice has little to do with humans, than keep fooling yourself. I'll take all the help a reputable doctor or scientist or medical college wants to give to prolong my life AND give me GOOD HEALTH at the same time. Many of us ae having our children late in life. My youngest was born when I was 38. I've got to live a long time to be there for her. My mother had me at 18! She's 70 now and I love having her around. I trust there is nothing in Dr. Bob's book that will hurt me -- but that will only help me. Should I still go to the doctor? OF COURSE!!! I have been getting yearly mamograms for 15 years, and only this year did I have a a small spot. I'm to get another exam in May 2002. I'm worried. They think it's nothing and say MOST OF THEM ARE BENIGN. What if i'm one of those woman not so lucky? I am not sure about Soy Isoflavones (the dosage) although Dr. Bob talks about it. Thanks, and KEEP READING!! ...
Rating:
Summary: So it's bad for you to eat more greens & fiber & less fat?
Review: When my mother died of cancer, five years after finding out she had breast cancer (pre-menopause), I resolved to do whatever I could to learn more and improve my chances of avoiding cancer, if it was at all possible. Dr. Arnot's book was the extra motivation that I needed. Much of the information that is contained within his book has been around for year - - cutting out the "bad" fats, eating more of the right types of greens, incorporating more soy into your diet, eating less red meat and more fish, etc. Sometimes, you need to hear something a few times befire it sinks in. I can't imagine how some of the more mainstream dietary modifications can be considered dangerous. If Dr. Arnot is guilty of anything, he is guilty for not saying that many of his suggestions are a prescription for healthier living, not just for improving your chances in the fight against breast cancer. (As an aside, these suggestions which have been in vegetarian and health- oriented magazines for years.) As for those who argue that this book is dangerous to women because of the advice it gives and because it will discourage women from going to the doctor, Dr. Arnot couches his suggestions in terms of, well, suggestions. In many places, if I remember correctly, he says that women should talk to their doctor about their level of risk for breast cancer. Furthermore, women who will pick up this buy and buy are likely to be women who know that they are at risk or think that they are at risk because members of their family have died of breast cancer - - they will likely know that there is no magic bullet and that they will need to discuss their individual cases with their doctor. Perhaps Dr. Arnot should have said that in his book, that his ideas are suggestions because if diet alone could prevent breast cancer, millions of women would not have it. I should hope that intelligent women would knoiw that. As for why I didn't give the book the extra star? I agree with those reviewers who said that recipes would have been a nice addition. Though many good recipes are available in magazines and the Veggie Life Home Page (a personal favorite of mine), I would like to see what Dr. Arnot would suggest.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for those who want to lower their risk.
Review: On the eve of my Mother's 3rd anniversary of dying from Breast Cancer, I decided to read this book and try to make sense of it all. I have watched 2 great Aunts, 1 Aunt and my Mother die from this disease, and often wonder when it is my turn. Instead of waiting for it to happen, I bought the book, (and one for my sister also). Finally, someone trying to lower the risk before it happens. I liked the way he explained the risk factors we here of so often, and the way they are related to diet (which nobody ever really has explained yet). The only thing I didn't like about the book, was that there are no recipes to follow. In reading reviews on his other book, about losing weight, people said the same thing. DIDN'T HE LEARN FROM THE FIRST BOOK!!! To follow a mediterrian or asian diet, people need recipes. I couldn't put the book down, but think he should follow up with a cookbook.
Rating: 
Summary: Not till I find out more about Lillian Thompson!
Review: I was all set to get this book, really...Till it came to my attention that I alreasy HAVE a book that cites Lillian Thompson's research at The Univerity of Toronto with flax seeds on breast cancer in mice (or rats, whichever-- except that its NOT whichever, it's bloody mice! and they don't always get the same results in both!) and it says that she is going one step further and, in a pilot study, is giving flaxseeds to women recently diagnosed with the disease. Now there is a review right here written in December, 1998, about the hardcover edition of this book that says that Dr. Arnot failed to make clear that the results Lillian Thompson obtained were for mice. The book I bought was published in hardcover in 1998 and in paperback in 1999, and I just got it in 2000. So I though maybe since then Lillian Thompson had published something in which she had given flaxseeds to human subjects diagnosed with breast cancer. Since the government has granted free poblic access to Medline, I looked up her reasearh on it. She hasn't done recent research on any human subjects unless you count one experiment done a few years ago in which she gave various doses of of raw flaxseeds and processed (as in cooked: in bread and muffins) flaxseeds to healthy human subjects to see if what (no I don't know what--but it was what it was supposed to be) was excreted would be excreted in a dose dependant manner and if it would be affected by processing ( raw vs. processed): it was excreted in a dose dependant manner and this was regardless of whether the flaxseeds were raw or processed in muffins and bread. But on Medline I could find no experiments of hers on human subjects with breast cancer going back as far as 1993. It's not that her experiments on mice aren't encouraging , but one wonders what happened to the human subjects that were recently diagnosed with breast cancer who were going to get the flax seeds. It may not even be that she hasn't done that and published it too--it's just that as of now, if she has, I can't find it on Medline and I can find this other stuff of hers. I don't intend to stop using flaxseeds, but I'm also not getting this book yet. Also to be consdered, possibly, that I do not know about: another reveiewer said that some of the scientists whose work was cited in the book have disassociated themselves from it. One might want to know why. I do think that diet and some cancers are related and that it is worth one's while to find out what one can and try to reduce one's risk. However, I ,too, live on a budget, I have other needs too, and i'm not ready for this book yet.
Rating: 
Summary: I have breast cancer
Review: I remember watching Dr. Bob on the Oprah show and I was hopeful because my diet and exercise routine (in addition to the suppliments I take) closely matched his anti-breast cancer book. I managed stress. I wasn't in a high-risk group.Well...I'm getting ready for my second round of chemotherapy. People PLEASE DON'T BE FOOLED. Anyone is at risk and there isn't much you can do to stop this horrible disease before it hits you.
Rating:
Summary: can women prevent cancer in their lifetime?
Review: october is breast cancer month in this country, we participate in walking marathons, fundraisers and remember those who have died and survived...this book allows women individually, to become proactive in lowering their risk factors, by suggesting lifestyle changes. Dr. Arnot makes crystal clear that changing one's diet is the main factor in lowering breast cancer risk. He emphasizes lowering meat, fat, sugar,and alcohol consumption...in fact alcohol should not be in any woman's diet. He discusses the links between chemical estrogen, high blood insulin levels and obesity as high risk factors. I am amazed about the different sources of chemical estrogens in our environment. His research chapters on vitamins, herbs, good and bad estrogen, is insightful. Chapters include foods which are breast "friendly". This helps the reader to become more informed of her choices....proactive?...or passive? This book helps the reader to participate in the fight against cancer from the "life style change" point of view.
Rating:
Summary: Just a word to the naysayers...
Review: Though Arnot's book is simply (perhaps simplistically) written, it nevertheless points out exciting areas of research. Most of the dietary recommendations are just good sense for a generally healthy diet. As for supplementation with high doses of certain substances, one should of course study such things further before making radical changes. As a TV doctor, wouldn't you expect he'd write in a TV manner, ie. sensationalistically? I found the book useful as a source of ideas for further research, not a Bible. As for the vaunted American Council on Science and Health's critique, mentioned in the majority of negative reviews here: Take a look at their site, and you'll easily see that they're a bunch of apologists for the most conservative and capitalistic viewpoints possible, lackeys for the food and chemical industries. Check out their pieces on irradiation, why soda pop isn't a bad food, the bad rap that DDT got, etc ad nauseum. If that's the kind of people who you put your faith in, you have nothing to say to those who put their faith in a TV doctor. Think for yourself, read critically, maintain a healthy skepticism, and research thoroughly before making radical changes. But don't throw the baby with the bathwater. This book sheds light on some intriguing possibilities - use it as a starting point.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it
Review: This is a great book. I wish we would have had this information a long time ago and perhaps there wouldn't be so many women w/breast cancer. It's informative. You'll notice that he's not out endorsing his own line of food supplements. It really is an important book. I've read 12 books on breast cancer, I'd put this in the top 3 of the books to buy.
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