The First Year Prostate Cancer »

Christopher Lukas is an Emmy-winning television producer, director, and writer who specializes in films about end-of-life decision making. He lives with his wife in upstate New York.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men—about 1 in 6 will be diagnosed in his lifetime—but fortunately it is also one of the most treatable cancers. From the first moment of his diagnosis, author Christopher Lukas took charge and educated himself on every aspect of his condition. Now, as a "patient-expert," he guides those newly diagnosed step-by-step through their first year with prostate cancer. Lukas provides crucial information about the nature of the disease, treatment options, diet, exercise, social concerns, emotional issues, networking with others, and much more. The First Year®-Prostate Cancer will be an essential resource for everyone who wants to be an informed, active participant in the management of their condition.

Library Journal

These two volumes continue the "First Year" series written by the diagnosed for the newly diagnosed (see also Type 2 Diabetes, Hepatitis C, and Fibroids). Chapters are chronologically arranged: days one through seven after the diagnosis, the remaining weeks of the first month, then monthly for the remainder of the year. Each chapter contains a learning section (factual aspects of diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, support, and clinical trials) and a living section (practical tips and anecdotes on family/social issues, diagnosis and treatment, and financial matters). Both books are written accessibly and compassionately and stress patient empowerment. Although their content is medically sound and fairly comprehensive, it is more shallow than introductive in that it glosses over topics without giving much indication of their complexity or depth. For instance, in Prostate Cancer, there is no mention of how and why biopsies are not 100 percent accurate. While both books have a table of contents and plans for an index, topics are often scattered (e.g., "PSA testing" in Prostate Cancer and "caregivers" in Parkinson's Disease). Unfortunately, too, glossary definitions tend toward the technical, with terms like genetic transmission and biochemical changes, and resource sections lack effective organization and key governmental resources (e.g., MedlinePlus). These are marginal purchases for consumer health collections, especially those that have Nutan Sharma and Elaine Richman's Parkinson's Disease and the Family: A New Guide and American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Prostate Cancer, edited by David G. Bostwick and others. (Indexes, illustrations, and diagrams not seen.)-Janice Flahiff, Medical Univ. Lib. of Ohio, Toledo Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.