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Summary: Comments & reviews on Musa Mayer's "Advanced Breast Cancer"
Review: An estimated two million Americans alive today have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Each one of them lives with the fear of recurrence, and for good reason: for at least a third of women diagnosed with breast cancer, the disease will eventually spread. When this happens most people assume it means an immediate death sentence. The reality is often different, as explained in "Advanced Breast Cancer: A Guide to Living with Metastatic Disease." Newly updated and revised, this is the only book on breast cancer that deals honestly with the realities of metastatic disease, yet offers hope and comfort. All aspects of dealing with the disease are covered, including: * Coping with the shock of recurrence * Seeking information and making treatment decisions * Communicating effectively with medical personnel * Managing pain and symptoms of disease progression, as well as treatment of side effects * Getting emotional support from other patients, friends, and family * Finding new ways to discover meaning in the midst of adversity * Handling disease progression and end-of-life issues Frank and moving descriptions from those who have been touched by metastatic disease make their stories meaningful to anyone who faces a life-threatening illness, whether they are talking about making end-of-life decisions or keeping hope alive. Women with metastatic breast cancer generally go on to live with their disease, often for many years. Through facing the reality and gathering information and support, the time that they have can be full and meaningful. Of the dozens of books and other resources dealing with breast cancer, few discuss the realities of metastatic disease. "Advanced Breast Cancer" gives a voice to the side of breast cancer no one wants to hear about, with stories of extraordinary ordinary people, forced by circumstance to call on resources in themselves and their families they never knew they possessed. It remains the only book on the market to offer authoritative information and hope as it empowers those who live with the challenges of metastatic disease. This comprehensive new guide provides updated resources and treatment developments, including novel formulation of conventional drugs, as well as the latest therapies being developed in cancer research labs today. The Breast Cancer Center website contains excerpts and the full resources section from Advanced Breast Cancer Praise for Advanced Breast Cancer: Dr. David Spiegel, Stanford University, author of "Living Beyond Limits" -- "An excellent book....If knowledge is power, this book will be good medicine." Amy S. Langer, Executive Director, NABCO (National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations)-- "Real stories, well-researched advice and practical references that will be a lifeline for a growing group of patients, too often overlooked....This book should be part of every woman's treatment plan." Breast Cancer Action Newsletter -- "Musa Mayer has given us a gift that we have needed for a long, long time: an in-depth, truthful, personal and informative resource about metastatic breast cancer. I believe that this book will be as important to women with metastatic breast cancer as Dr.Susan Love's Breast Book is to newly diagnosed breast cancer warriors." Jane Rodney, Director, Breast Cancer Resource Center, YWCA, Princeton, NJ -- "For years there have been so many requests for a resource book on metastatic breast cancer. Advanced Breast Cancer fills that void and does a wonderful service to thousands of women by giving them the resources they have been seeking, the support they need and the hope that research offers possibilities for a longer life.... The information on handling emotional issues, treatment options, side effects from treatment, and managing pain will be used as a resource bible on how to cope with metastatic breast disease for years to come."
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: As a person with metastatic breast cancer, I bought this book because it seemed to focus on LIVING with metastatic disease when everything else I've read lumps metastatic disease in with death and dying. Unfortunately, this book was more of the same. If misery loves company, then this is the book for you. I, personally, don't want to read about women just like me with diagnoses similar to mine and then read about their death later on in the book. How is that "uplifting"? When and if the time comes when my disease can no longer be treated, then maybe I would consider a book like this useful. But when is someone going to write a truly uplifting and informative book about LIVING with metastatic disease? Also, the medical information was very sparse and nothing new; in fact some of the information seemed somewhat dated.
Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive and Frank Source of Information
Review: As the spouse of someone with metestatic breast cancer, I highly recommend this book. It is a very emotional read on a very difficult subject. For months, I searched the Internet, libraries and bookstores for information. Friends sent some of the more popular cancer books. But nowhere could I find a comprehensive source of information on advanced stages of breast cancer. I didn't need a book on initial stages of cancer, miracle cures or a motivational story of one individual's treatment. I wanted a book that realistically addressed advanced stage cancer. This was the book I was looking for, and the book that provided the most help. The medical information provided is presented in a logical and solid manner. The personal stories communicate the emotional and practical implications of the disease. The writing style is articulate, concise and interesting. Musa Mayer has done an amazing job with a horrible subject. I recommend you read some of the excerpts posted on this site, prior to ordering. They provide a good indication of the subject matter and the manner it is presented. I found this book personally very helpful. It has proven to be a trusted reference, and a tremendous source of both medical and personal information.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive and Frank Source of Information
Review: Breast cancer is so much more complicated than removing the breast(s). I have a feeling that many people don't figure this out until they have been diagnosed with it. Then, you have to take a crash course in Cancer 101. It is intimidating and scary to make decisions about something which you know nothing about. Musa makes it easy to comprehend a lot of the technical information. She has a way of breaking down the many facets of this disease, and bringing order to a complex issue. It is easier to digest so much information and make informed decisions when someone has completed an outline of the puzzle for you. As an early stage breast cancer survivor myself, I was apprehensive about reading this book. Why borrow trouble; ignorance is bliss. But, considering that my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer less than a year ago, reality seemed like the viable option for me. Fear of breast cancer returning or spreading can be just as difficult as treatment for cancer. I felt calmer after reading about some of the people Musa profiled in her book. It's hard to explain this in a book review, but sometimes people have a way of saying things (or writing them) that makes them less overwhelming. The way that Musa has "explained" advanced breast cancer made it easier for me to relax and realize that there are just some things that you have to deal with...and you can. Musa's book provided validation for my mother that she had made educated treatment decisions. It gave me a clearer picture of my mother's disease, and most importantly - a lot of hope. I probably won't have to deal with breast cancer again. If I do, I will be prepared (and armed) with valuable information.
Rating:
Summary: A realistic but gentle approach to a scary disease
Review: Breast cancer is so much more complicated than removing the breast(s). I have a feeling that many people don't figure this out until they have been diagnosed with it. Then, you have to take a crash course in Cancer 101. It is intimidating and scary to make decisions about something which you know nothing about. Musa makes it easy to comprehend a lot of the technical information. She has a way of breaking down the many facets of this disease, and bringing order to a complex issue. It is easier to digest so much information and make informed decisions when someone has completed an outline of the puzzle for you. As an early stage breast cancer survivor myself, I was apprehensive about reading this book. Why borrow trouble; ignorance is bliss. But, considering that my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer less than a year ago, reality seemed like the viable option for me. Fear of breast cancer returning or spreading can be just as difficult as treatment for cancer. I felt calmer after reading about some of the people Musa profiled in her book. It's hard to explain this in a book review, but sometimes people have a way of saying things (or writing them) that makes them less overwhelming. The way that Musa has "explained" advanced breast cancer made it easier for me to relax and realize that there are just some things that you have to deal with...and you can. Musa's book provided validation for my mother that she had made educated treatment decisions. It gave me a clearer picture of my mother's disease, and most importantly - a lot of hope. I probably won't have to deal with breast cancer again. If I do, I will be prepared (and armed) with valuable information.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Relevant
Review: I am currently reading this book and have found such hope from it. I was diagnosed last September with Stage IV breast cancer ..spread to my lung and liver. It was devastating, but after 4 rounds of chemo, I am doing well on Tamoxifin. This book is one of the few that I could relate to. It is relevant to my situation, offering hope, comfort, and clear information.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Relevant
Review: I am currently reading this book and have found such hope from it. I was diagnosed last September with Stage IV breast cancer ..spread to my lung and liver. This book is one of the few that I could relate to. It is relevant to my situation, offering hope, comfort, and clear information.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Relevant
Review: I am currently reading this book and have found such hope from it. I was diagnosed last September with Stage IV breast cancer ..spread to my lung and liver. It was devastating, but after 4 rounds of chemo, I am doing well on Tamoxifin. This book is one of the few that I could relate to. It is relevant to my situation, offering hope, comfort, and clear information.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Relevant
Review: I am currently reading this book and have found such hope from it. I was diagnosed last September with Stage IV breast cancer ..spread to my lung and liver. This book is one of the few that I could relate to. It is relevant to my situation, offering hope, comfort, and clear information.
Rating:
Summary: Down to earth and validating
Review: I bought this book two years ago, right after my diagnosis of breast cancer and after I received my pathology report - which indicated I was apt to end up with recurrence or spread. This book was not at all what I expected. I was expecting a guide to treatment options - dry and factual. What I got instead - showed that others had dealt with this very difficult issue and so could I, if need be. I passed the book on to a friend already in this position. Now, two years later, I am facing metastatic disease myself and have bought my own copy of the book again. Knowing that others have gone before me makes it easier for me to handle myself. Thank you, Musa.
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