Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable in a time of great need
Review: I bought this book because it seemed like a sensible thing to have. A day after it arrived from Amazon, a friend of mine had a lump detected on a mammogram. Four weeks later, she had a mastectomy. Actually I never read the book. I gave it to her before I had a chance. She thanks me for it every time she sees me. She said she had gathered a lot of info, but this book was the most informative and systematic of anything she'd read. She brought it with her to every appointment with her doctors. "I don't know how I could have dealt with this without it." So I'm now about to order a second copy as it's been only eight weeks since the first one arrived. I hope this copy sees much less use.

Rating:
Summary: Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book
Review: I bought this book for my sister when she was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. This became a bible to her - she referred to it at every point - surgery, radiation & chemotherapy and every set-back during treatment. She lives in the UK and had me send several books to her friends and later to her gynocologist (all diagnosed with breast cancer). The gynocologist believes it to be the best book written on breast cancer.

Low and behold if I wasn't also diagnosed with breast cancer this year. This is a huge book and I found I could only read the parts that were significant to me at the time. Knowledge is power - and this book definitely gives every reader this! It gives strength to make decisions and understand the options. Dr. Love explains how some women choose not to follow treatments recommended - and how they still survive. Yet, how others follow standard treatment and for no rhyme or reason the cancer returns. (There were just a couple of examples mentioned). Dr. Love gives you all the facts. I did not find her book scary - I want to know whatever I can! There are many charts giving info on studies. I found the chart showing the recommended treatments were right on for what both my sister and I were recommended.

Without a doubt I feel that Dr. Love's book (and her Website with live chats with specialists) has helped me tremendously. I am sure I would have felt lost without this help. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book
Review: I bought this book for my sister when she was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. This became a bible to her - she referred to it at every point - surgery, radiation & chemotherapy and every set-back during treatment. She lives in the UK and had me send several books to her friends and later to her gynocologist (all diagnosed with breast cancer). The gynocologist believes it to be the best book written on breast cancer.

Low and behold if I wasn't also diagnosed with breast cancer this year. This is a huge book and I found I could only read the parts that were significant to me at the time. Knowledge is power - and this book definitely gives every reader this! It gives strength to make decisions and understand the options. Dr. Love explains how some women choose not to follow treatments recommended - and how they still survive. Yet, how others follow standard treatment and for no rhyme or reason the cancer returns. (There were just a couple of examples mentioned). Dr. Love gives you all the facts. I did not find her book scary - I want to know whatever I can! There are many charts giving info on studies. I found the chart showing the recommended treatments were right on for what both my sister and I were recommended.

Without a doubt I feel that Dr. Love's book (and her Website with live chats with specialists) has helped me tremendously. I am sure I would have felt lost without this help. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must for all breast cancer patients!
Review: I bought this book the day after I was diagnosed and began a journey of learning about my disease. It answered questions I forgot to ask my surgeon. My oncologist says it's one of the best books to read on breast cancer. It's a small price for such a vast amount of information.

Rating:
Summary: buy this book, but don't read it after dark
Review: I bought this book when my partner was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago at age 32. We have both relied on it as a source of information throughout her treatment, and it has served that purpose well-- it is very complete and up-to-date. This book is often referred to as a "bible" for women with breast cancer, and I can see why.

However, we both found this book profoundly frightening in a way that we did not find other breast cancer books-- even ones that cover similar material. I think this may be because, unlike the authors of most breast cancer books, Dr. Love has not had cancer herself. As compassionate as she may be in person, her tone as a writer is sometimes cavalier. I am sure that as an MD she has had to distance herself in order to treat women with breast cancer, and unfortunately this distance comes through in her book. At first I thought that my reaction to her writing and her statistics was just because the diagnosis was so new and frightening-- but it's still true now, a year later.

This is a fabulous resource-- probably the best-- but don't read it alone, or when you're feeling particularly scared or pessimistic.

Rating:
Summary: buy this book, but don't read it after dark
Review: I bought this book when my partner was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago at age 32. We have both relied on it as a source of information throughout her treatment, and it has served that purpose well-- it is very complete and up-to-date. This book is often referred to as a "bible" for women with breast cancer, and I can see why.

However, we both found this book profoundly frightening in a way that we did not find other breast cancer books-- even ones that cover similar material. I think this may be because, unlike the authors of most breast cancer books, Dr. Love has not had cancer herself. As compassionate as she may be in person, her tone as a writer is sometimes cavalier. I am sure that as an MD she has had to distance herself in order to treat women with breast cancer, and unfortunately this distance comes through in her book. At first I thought that my reaction to her writing and her statistics was just because the diagnosis was so new and frightening-- but it's still true now, a year later.

This is a fabulous resource-- probably the best-- but don't read it alone, or when you're feeling particularly scared or pessimistic.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: I definitely agree with the many readers regarding this book that it is absolutely the authorative source book on the subject of breast cancer. The author describes virtually every detail incl. the emotional aspects from prevention to diagnosis and through the healing process. I picked up a copy of this extensive book when one of my friends was diagnosed with breast cancer to be able to better relate to her and to understand what she's going through and I must say it is a very interesting read. Another excellent book on the subject that is really encouraging and helpful and I think is also a "Must-Read" is "Breast Cancer Be-Attitudes" by breast-cancer survior Sylvia Baker.

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book!
Review: I have been diagnosed with precancer and have found this book to be a God-send. It's the only book I've found on the market that goes into detail about pre-malignancy. Dr. Love is very straight-forward in her advice and criticisms of the medical profession. If you need a second or third opinion, this book will clear your doubts. Most doctors don't know how to communicate to their patients and assume you know what they're talking about. Ever try reading a pathological report of a breast biopsy? This book will answer all your questions. Congratulations, Dr. Love, you've contributed so much to clearing up a medical problem which, unfortunately, the establishment has taken advantage of.

Rating:
Summary: My Desperate Search
Review: I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and scheduled for a mastectomy. I was asked to make decisions about treatments without even the most basic information. If I made the wrong decision I could die. This book was up to date (1999) and easy to understand, starting with the normal breast and how cells divide helping me understand the here and now. Each treatment option is reviewed with realistic outcome statistics. Her recommendations for questions for your doctor helped me make decisions about Chemo. The information in this book made me feel more in control of my illness and my treatment. Perfect for family, it helped my Husband and Sister understand what was happening to me.

Rating:
Summary: Detailed information
Review: I was pleased with Dr. Susan Love's and Lindsey's book easy to read and understand. At the time of it's arrival, a lot of the decisions were already made, but I still had my doubts the doctors decisions were correct. ( I had my lumpectomy in Jinju, South Korea). Being in the hospital when it arrived put my mind at ease right away. The detailed information and education is a must for every woman with breast cancer. If your doctors can't explain the procedure, or tell you what to expect or you are full of fear and doubts like I was, this book will help educate in a realistic fashion. Her stories were real and I understand more and have better understanding about the treatment and what to expect. This book certainly gives me comfort and explanations of the whole experience of breast cancer.