Rating: 
Summary: Essential reading for all touched by prostate cancer
Review: The Prostate Primer is without doubt a very valuable source of knowledge for any man diagnosed with prostate cancer who wishes to gain some measure of control and understanding of his options for treatment and survival. If it had been available when I was diagnosed six and a half years ago it would have saved me a good deal of time in searching through the many thousands of websites for the information I needed so desperately.As the authors say, this is no novel to be picked up a read in one session. It is a serious work to deal with a potentially dangerous disease. To the newly diagnosed man it may seem overwhelming, but anyone who is earnest in his desire to learn more will soon find that the book strikes a good balance in dealing with technical information in a way that can be understood by a lay person. All men diagnosed with prostate cancer should be given this book which should also be read by their loved ones and supporters. It gives them an incalculable chance to improve the outcome of their diagnosis.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Place to Start
Review: This book does an outstanding job of covering the treatment options for prostate cancer. It is a particularly good place to start for a newly diagnosed man (or his wife or family members) in learning about the disease. The clear readable presentation and excellent color illustrations set this book above others on the same subject. It should be required reading for the newly diagnosed man.
Rating:
Summary: A Primer on Prostate Cancer
Review: This book is a thorough and comprehensive work designed to provide essential information for the recently diagnosed prostate cancer patient and their loved ones. The book is written in lay person friendly language, but quickly moves the reader into the depths of technical details of prostate cancer, diagnosis, progression of the disease, and standard medical treatment. This is an excellent reference on our current understanding of the disease and standard (not alternative) medical treatment. The only short-coming of the book is the lack of suggestions for alternative and complementary medicine treatment (although a couple alternative books are referred to.)
Rating:
Summary: Best book on the subject
Review: This is the book that I wish were available when my husband was
diagnosed. Actually, I wish it had been available when his urologist
was trying to decide whether or not my husband had prostate cancer.
This aptly named primer, which is beautifully illustrated, covers in
great detail everything from the intricacies of diagnosis to decision
making about treatment options. And it does it in such a way as to
educate and empower the reader/patient without frightening him/her to
death. I found the section on hormone therapy particularly
instructive, as I had never understood the differences between the
various types of Androgen Deprivation Therapy before. Also included is
a section on experimental treatments and clinical trials. The eight
appendices include everything from resource lists, useful forms,
definitions and glossary to references. I would recommend this manual
as THE first book to read when confronted with the prospect of
prostate cancer. It is basic and thorough. Nothing is left unsaid
Rating:
Summary: A message from Donna Pogliano, one of the co-authors:
Review: To our readers in celebration of the Primer's first anniversary: I found this study done recently in Ireland and I felt it was important enough to share with you. Citation: European Journal of Cancer Supplements; Vol. 1, No. 5,
September 2003, page S334 U. Courtney ARC Cancer Support Centre, Dublin, Ireland "Patients react to a cancer diagnosis with a variety of emotions including shock, anger, guilt, denial, anxiety and depression."
(SNIP)
"Information is a basic form of support. Correct and adequate information is essential to helping patient and family adapt to a diagnosis of cancer and develop coping skills. Studies suggest that patients who receive good information are more satisfied with their care and demonstrate lowered levels of anxiety and depression." When I started the Primer project in March, 2000, I wanted to offer support to prostate cancer patients that goes beyond sympathy. I hope that you find what you need in our book, both in terms of reliable information, and in terms of giving you the confidence that you need that the decisions that you are making are the right ones for you. This confidence is essential to achieving not only triumph over the physical aspects of the disease, but also to finding the emotional comfort that you will need to sustain you in the months and years after treatment for prostate cancer, and indeed, that you will need to have for the rest of your life in order to be healed of your disease in body, mind and spirit. The study quoted above underscores the role of good information in coping with a diagnosis of cancer. In the Primer, Dr. Strum and I have tried to outline a strategy of disease management that is designed to optimize outcomes for the patient and his loved ones. It is our hope that our book will help patients to become empowered, to take responsibility for and authority over their own outcomes based on education and knowledge of the consequences and contingencies involved in their own disease management decisions, and that this focus will provide the uplifting energy that will sustain them in the face of crisis. We wish you low PSA's and may your days be good and long upon the earth. Donna
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