Dr. Gaynor's Cancer Prevention Program

Rating:
Summary: Bold breathrough book
Review: Dr. Gaynor's book is a bold breakthrough in the field of cancer prevention. His excellent book details at great lengh the individual foods and nutrients which may prevent cancer and individualizes for the major cancers. Dr. Gaynor practises what he preaches. As a highly respected New York Cancer doctor, he practises the cutting edge of conventional medicine with the very best or preventive medicine. A must on everyone's medical bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: A must have to help prevent cancer
Review: Dr. Mitchell Gaynor's Cancer Prevention Program offers many promises in this January title from Kensington Books. Some of them are indeed justified and backed by recent scientific research. Other such promises in the book border on the unfounded, while others are what would on a careful reading seem to be recycled but updated information - albeit information that is important to know, and in many cases necessary to act upon.

Perhaps that is the value of the recent release of a book whose packaging and theme so closely resemble Dr. Oliver Alabaster's "What You Can Do To Prevent Cancer," 1985; Simon and Schuster. Both authors are physicians and leading research oncologists. Dr. Gaynor at the Strang Cancer Prevention Center and Dr. Alabaster at The George Washington University.

The book is well written, easy to read and at times gives the reader more than an adequate dose of optimism in what the media often portray as a never-ending battle against this country's most feared killer. Specifically, the book seems to give the impression that one can easily "detoxify" the body by choosing a variety of enzymes and other chemicals to aid the liver in its work. Would that the job be so easy! It is an interesting idea, and one loosely based on some body of medical research, but as a concept it might be a bit more optimistic than practical.

The research that the "detoxification" approach is based on is generally valid and promising. In a sidebar in one chapter Dr. Gaynor lists supplements which are certainly of value and would at worst do no physical harm. These include the antioxidant glutathione, whey protein (which contains glutathione, but is seemingly only documented in one Canadian study), broccoli, green tea and selenium.

Dr. Gaynor brings to the reader a wealth of current information almost unavailable in the popular press and which is both useful and necessary.

He succinctly explains what cancer is, how such cells develop, and some of what can be done to prevent cancer in most individuals who are not already strongly predisposed by genetic factors. He correctly states that some 70% of all cancers can be avoided or by prevention but almost glosses over our largest and most constant exposure to the environment -- the very food we eat and the dietary choices we make on a day-to-day basis.

While his emphasis on phytonutrients and supplements is exciting, far too little attention is given to natural sources of these promising chemicals. Less attention is given to the preventive role of dietary fat reduction or restriction. Instead the author develops and promotes a program which relies mostly on supplements and/or foods which for many might seem initially odd and could too easily be avoided.

This is both the strength and the weakness of the book. So strong is the case to use these supplements that the casual and overly-optimistic reader might want to delve into a world of supplements immediately but might soon be disappointed by a lack of understanding, motivation or even in some cases taste. For example, he recommends a number of combinations in the juicer which some who are overly accustomed to high fructose corn syrup might not enjoy. On the other hand his recipe for a combination of apples, carrots, cucumbers, and broccoli was tasteful and left no hint of the "cruciferic" taste that some people try to avoid. This recipe alone might make the book a good investment in future health dividends.

Dr. Gaynor's research is current, sound and well presented. The use of a nutritional pharmacist Gerry Hickey, R.Ph., gives the book its strong emphasis on phytochemicals and other food-based cancer prevention chemicals. The book includes an appendix that is a good source of supplements and other cancer prevention products mentioned which will be of particular benefit to those who live in areas where such products are not easily available. Another appendix lists references of solid peer-reviewed journals for much of the book's information. Of particular curiosity in this regard is a chapter promoting Japanese mushrooms. A highly regarded National Academy of Science Publication, "Diet and Cancer" showed that mushrooms when uncooked contain one of the most potent cancer promoting chemicals known to man. Dr. Gaynor not only leaves this fact out but fails to mention whether or not these types of mushrooms need to be cooked in order to "detoxify" them.

This book is an excellent buy, full of current and useful information. It picks up where Dr. Alabaster's book left off and indeed given that book's emphasis on diet both books should be used in together. A good read, a better source of health information. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: great guidance for healthy living!
Review: I really enjoyed reading Dr. Gaynor's book. His advice is easy to absorb and understand. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: A must have to help prevent cancer
Review: This is by far one of the best books on cancer prevention I have ever read. It is easy to understand, informative and an absolute wealth of information on the subject.

Not only do Drs. Gaynor and Hickey explain what foods are good for you and why -- they also break down how you can get each of the nutrients and antioxidants in supplement form on pages that immediately follow entitled "Pharmacist Corner."

After being diagnosed with malignant melanoma I immediately started to hunt around for resource books on how to lessen my chances of reoccurances and so far this is the best. It is an uplifting resource book filled with information on the subject as well as success stories that will be an inspiration to all who read it.