Women's Cancers: A Patient's Guide to Dealing with Ovarian and Breast Cancer »

The first goal of the book is to provide the patient with accurate information. The second goal is to show how a combination of “orthodox medicine” and complementary therapies, ranging from acupuncture to homeopathy, hypnotherapy, reiki, etc., allow people the best way through their diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

Early chapters apply to all women diagnosed with cancer, followed by chapters for each specific site of disease: cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, breast and choriocarcinoma. Then follow chapters on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, pain management, complementary therapies and spiritual approaches. The chapter on bereavement broadens out from matters related to death to the whole process of coming to terms with one’s diagnosis and treatment - a “must read” for all.

The book incorporates a useful and novel “4 cusp” approach, which has proved very helpful to women themselves and in allowing to explain to their families where they are in the process. The “4 cusp” approach is like a map for people with cancer.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Theresa M. Bacon, MSN, RN, CPON(University of New Mexico Hospital)
Description:This is a concise guide to screening, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common female cancers.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide accurate information on a variety of female cancers and to examine the range of treatment options from conventional medicine to complementary therapies. While there may be other resources with a similar goal, the authors of this book take a unique approach in their examination of the role of faith and compassion in the treatment of patients.
Audience:The book is intended for women diagnosed with female cancer and those who love and care for them. However, it also provides a concise resource for nursing professionals to reinforce important information regarding the disease processes of female cancers.
Features:A general overview is presented of many female cancers and treatment options, ranging from conventional medical treatment to complementary therapies. Illustrations and diagrams are simple and easy to understand. The authors introduce the four-cusp approach to cancer care and a brief sojourn into the role faith plays in healing. While these are interesting and unique approaches to the care of the patient, the purpose for the addition of this information is unclear. More discussion on this topic would be valuable.
Assessment:This book is a useful addition to the genre. Women and nursing professionals will find it a valuable resource in the care of women with cancer.

General Information
1 General Introduction 3
2 Anatomy Overview 7
3 The 4-cusp Approach to Cancer Care 11
4 General Concepts of Surgical Management 33
5 Sex, Cancer, and Surgery 35 Specific Cancers
6 Cervical Cancer and Precancer (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia) 39
7 Ovarian Cancer (Including Cancer of the Fallopian Tube) 55
8 Endometrial Cancer 65
9 Vulval Cancer 77
10 Breast Cancer 85
11 Choriocarcinoma: Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia 97 General Treatments and Care
12 General Concepts of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy 103
13 Pain Management 107
14 Complementary Therapies 113
15 Bereavement/Grief 123
16 Spiritual Approaches to Living with Cancer 125
17 Conclusion 129 Suggested Further Reading 131 Glossary 133 Index 135