Be a Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment » (Revised)

A unique book-with-DVD combination that informs and empowers

Dr. Vladimir Lange is a Harvard Medical School trained physician, nationally recognized for patient education programs.  When his wife, also a physician, was diagnosed with breast cancer, both were overwhelmed by the complexity of the information they had to process.  Be a Survivor  was inspired by their desire to make the journey easier for others.
 

Be a Survivor is the "must read" book for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer, and for those who care for her. 

The book is:
COMPLETE ­ it covers all aspects of the disease ­ from diagnosis, to breast reconstruction, conventional and complementary therapies, and life after cancer.  It also includes a chapter for the woman's husband or partner.

ACCURATE ­ rather than reflecting a single specialist's point of view, the book is based on the combined experience and wisdom of 28 experts in various fields.

REASSURING ­ written with compassion and understanding, the book also includes candid stories by survivors and their partners.

USER-FRIENDLY ­ hundreds of color photos, graphics and diagrams help clarify important concepts.

UP-TO-DATE ­ the book covers the very latest developments, including brachytherapy, perforator flaps, skin sparing mastectomy and much more.

UNIQUE ­ Be a Survivor  is the ONLY book on breast cancer that comes with a DVD, so the reader can see videos of procedures, hear survivors' stories, and enjoy the animated 3-D graphics.

See the DVD for a clear overview.
Read the book for additional details.
Use both as a valuable source of information that will help you assume an active role in your treatment and recovery.

This Book Will Help You
*  Assemble the best team of experts to ensure successful treatment
*  Decide whether mastectomy or breast conservation is the right choice for you
*  Evaluate your breast reconstruction options
*  Understand why you may not need chemotherapy
*  Learn about new treatments, such as brachytherapy
*  Consider appropriate complementary therapies
*  Communicate effectively with your partner.

Library Journal

This excellent resource gets better with age. The third edition includes a DVD of images of procedures and stories from survivors. Essential for all public libraries. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Acknowledgments 1

Introduction to the Fifth Edition 3

A Twenty Year Retrospective 3

How to Use This Book 4

Facts to Remember About Cancer 6

Chapter 1 Facing Breast Cancer 7

Understanding Your Feelings 7

Communicating With Others 8

Assembling Your Support Network 16

Support Groups 16

Your Healthcare Team 17

Gathering Information 19

Overview of Treatment Options 20

Chapter 2 Breast Cancer Basics 23

Breast Anatomy and Function 23

How Breasts Grow and Change 25

What is Breast Cancer? 25

Types of Breast Cancer 28

How Cancer Spreads 30

Chapter 3 Diagnosis and Staging 31

Diagnosis 31

Tumor Testing 32

The Pathology Report 34

Additional Tests 35

Staging 36

Chapter 4 Surgery 39

Lumpectomy 40

Is Lumpectomy Right for Me? 43

Mastectomy 45

Immediate Reconstruction 48

Recovery After Mastectomy 48

Exercises After Mastectomy 50

Is Mastectomy Right for Me? 51

Lumpectomy or Mastectomy? 52

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection 54

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy 55

Chapter 5 Reconstruction 57

Reconstruction Options 58

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon 58

Reconstruction With Implants 59

Reconstruction With Your Own Tissues 62

Which is Right for Me? 67

External Breast Forms 68

Chapter 6 Radiation Therapy 69

What is Radiation Therapy? 69

External Beam Radiation Therapy 70

How Treatment is Given 71

Side Effects of External Beam Radiation Therapy 72

Brachytherapy 74

Chapter 7 Chemotherapy 75

What is Chemotherapy? 76

How Chemotherapy Works 78

How Chemotherapy is Given 79

Side Effects of Chemotherapy 81

Other Side Effects 87

Common Chemotherapy Drugs 90

Chapter 8 Hormone Therapy 91

How Does Hormone Therapy Work? 92

SideEffects of Hormone Therapy 93

Who Should Be Treated? 94

Chapter 9 Targeted Therapy 95

Herceptin 95

Side Effects of Targeted Therapy 97

The Future 97

Chapter 10 Complementary and Alternative Therapies 98

Complementary Therapies 99

Alternative Treatments 103

Chapter 11 DCIS 104

What is DCIS? 104

Mastectomy or Lumpectomy? 105

Radiation Therapy or Not? 105

Treatment of DCIS 106

Your Team 106

Chapter 12 Clinical Trials 107

How are Trials Conducted? 108

Participating in a Trial 109

Is a Trial Right for Me? 110

Chapter 13 Life After Cancer 111

Emotional Recovery 111

Clinical Depression 113

Physical Recovery 113

Intimacy and Sexuality 117

Side Effects of Treatment 118

Fertility 118

Resuming Sexual Activity 119

Single After Breast Cancer 120

Being a Young Survivor 122

Getting Involved 124

Recommendations for Your Family Members 124

Genetic Testing 125

Chapter 14 A Guide for Your Partner 126

What is Breast Cancer? 127

Understanding Your Feelings 127

What Do I Do Now? 129

What She Needs from You 130

Meeting Your Own Needs 135

Chapter 15 Advanced Breast Cancer 138

Recurrent Breast Cancer 138

Treatment of Advanced / Metastatic Breast Cancer 139

Coping with Advanced Breast Cancer 141

Resources 142

General Resources 142

Appearance 150

Professional Organizations 151

Library 152

Books and Pamphlets 152

Videos and DVD's 155

Glossary 158

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Providers 162

Index 174