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Rating: 
Summary: From one who has had colon cancer
Review: After being diagnosed with colon cancer, I started my research by reading books on the subject.I found this book was well wriiten, but seem to focus more on explaining the disease for family or somebody wanting to provide support for a person with colon cancer. In this respect, it does a good job in explaining the disease and giving points to consider, i.e., the type of hospital, the way to reference doctors, etc. The book did not fit what I was looking for. I wanted a more technical explanation about the disease and what to expect during the operation and post-operative period. I did not get that comfort level from this book.
Rating: 
Summary: very highly recommended for patient and spouse
Review: I was recently diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer stage 3 and looked for a single specific reference. I thought this book was excellent. I am a medical doctor with a specific background in critically assessing medical evidence but learned of a lot of resources I had not been aware of, including cancer question list servers etc. I would buy it as early on in your treatment as possible -, things like choice of treatment center, surgeon, pre vs post surgery radiation are all things to try to become knowledgeable about as early on as possible. I think the tone of the book is exactly right, combining technical and lots of humane/quality of life advice (including how to talk with friends and younger family members) . My spouse who is a teacher but has no clinical background has also found the book excellent in answering her questions. I feel Lorraine Johnston has performed a real public service. Good luck to any patients and family, this book will definitely help you give quality survival its best chance!
Rating:
Summary: extremely informative book!
Review: This book is designed for the newly diagnosed patient with colon/rectal cancer. My mother is in this position, so I just read this book. It answered just about every question imaginable,in easy-to-understand language. It is a very comprehensive, thorough, up-to-date resource.It is set up in an easy-to-follow format. It has an outstanding appendix with tons of information, including how to further research this illness. It gives dozens of web sites for the patient/family to explore fully all of their options. It even has a cardboard fold-out booklet to keep medical notes in as treatments proceed. Just about the only thing it doesn't address in full are ways to make the patient more comfortable during chemo, etc. but it does refer to many other books that cover additional topics.
Rating: 
Summary: Covers the many issues patients and survivors must face.
Review: This guide addresses the many and varied concerns that colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and their families are likely to encounter. Although there are other books available for those facing colorectal cancer, some topics of concern to patients, survivors, and families either are not addressed at all in these books, or are addressed just briefly. In straightforward language and in a format that anticipates the reader's questions, this book addresses symptoms, diagnosis and its emotional tumult; finding the best treatment team; medical tests and procedures; theories on which treatment is based; characteristics of colorectal cancer; experiencing surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hospitalization; side effects and long-term effects of treatment; ostomy; and prognoses. The end of successful treatment and its sometimes surprising effects on one's emotions are covered in a separate chapter, as is disease recurrence and ways to select second-line treatment to eliminate or control disease. Clinical trials of promising new therapies grounded in Western medicine are covered in depth. Other topics of interest examined are stress and its effects on the immune system, sexuality and fertility after treatment, how to interact successfully with medical personnel, and getting support from family, friends, employers and the broader community. Three frank chapters on recordkeeping, finances, insurance, employment issues, traveling for care, finding free treatment, and end-of-life issues are included. Throughout the text and in several appendices, the reader is referred to other books, websites, and organizations that can provide more detail on a given topic. Tables and charts of normal blood test results and staging system equivalents are provided; a table of body mass indices for verifying chemotherapy dose is included. This book is intended for both newly diagnosed and long-term survivors of colorectal cancer, their caregivers and loved ones, and for medical personnel who interact with survivors of colorectal cancer.
Rating:
Summary: A thorough guide for patients, survivors, and family.
Review: This guide addresses the widely varying concerns that a colorectal cancer patient and his or her family are likely to have during and after diagnosis and treatment. Although several other books are available for those dealing with this disease, each addresses certain issues, but neglects others or covers them only briefly. Emphasizing the reduction of fear and the greater likelihood of sound decision-making when possessed of correct, current information, this book parallels the patient's experience: diagnosis and its emotional tumult are addressed first, then finding the best treatment team; the theories and practical aspects of treatment; medical tests and procedures; what to expect during a typical chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hospitalization experience; side effects and long-term effects of treatment; and prognosis. A chapter for the special concerns of those with an ostomy is included. The end of successful treatment and its sometimes surprising effects on one's emotions are covered in a separate chapter, as is recurrence of disease and ways to select second-line treatment. Clinical trials of promising new therapies grounded in Western medicine are covered in depth. Stress and its effects on the immune system are described, as are sexuality and fertility during and after treatment, how to interact successfully with medical personnel, and getting support from family, friends, employers and the broader community. Two candid chapters on recordkeeping, finances, insurance, employment issues, traveling for care, and finding free treatment are included. Tables of normal values for common blood tests, a table of parallel systems for staging disease, and a body mass index table and formulae for verifying chemotherapy dose are provided. Throughout the text and in several appendices, the reader is referred to other books, websites, and organizations that can provide more detail on a given topic. The resources of the National Cancer Institute are prominently represented throughout. This book is intended for both newly diagnosed and long-term colorectal cancer survivors, their caregivers and loved ones, and for medical personnel who interact with those affected by this disease.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable Reference
Review: Within a week of my diagnosis of colon cancer, I had this book, along with "What to Do If You Get Colon Cancer" by Paul Miskovitz and Marian Betancourt, in hand. Together they provided critical information on the illness, on finding a surgeon and what questions to ask about treatment. While recovering from surgery, and now in the early stages of chemotherapy, I have kept these books by my side to guide me step-by-step. Information is presented clearly and compassionately, so that I know what might be expected as I progress through treatment. Without these guides, I would be muddling through instead of being able to take charge of my illness. They are invaluable!
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable Reference
Review: Within a week of my diagnosis of colon cancer, I had this book, along with "What to Do If You Get Colon Cancer" by Paul Miskovitz and Marian Betancourt, in hand. Together they provided critical information on the illness, on finding a surgeon and what questions to ask about treatment. While recovering from surgery, and now in the early stages of chemotherapy, I have kept these books by my side to guide me step-by-step. Information is presented clearly and compassionately, so that I know what might be expected as I progress through treatment. Without these guides, I would be muddling through instead of being able to take charge of my illness. They are invaluable!
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