Your Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook: Your Guide to Understanding the Disease, Treatments, Emotions and Recovery from Breast Cancer

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer and understandably, shuffled off very quickly from doctor to testing, to surgery, with more testing and more doctors. Because our medical system is segmented and not designed to treat the person as a whole, there was lots of room for misinformation and lack of information. I don't know if my health care providers assumed other people were telling me how to prepare, or what the process was, or just figured it wasn't their job.

When you first learn you have cancer, like me, you probably think, "Cancer = Death." This is just not the case any longer. Had I had this book in my possession from day one, my fears would have been quieted and a sense of control and peace would have replaced most of my anxiety and fear. Even the doctors will agree, your emotional health, and outlook will affect your recovery.

This book does not try to be a comprehensive, "absolutely everything you need to know" in one book. But it does deliver a lot of information for the layperson, and if you're like me, you'll have hundreds of questions. If you can get even one answered by this book, it's worth the price for peace of mind it can bring.

Some of the things that this book covers that doctors don't pro-actively talk to you about is, the emotional impact to you, how to tell your friends, how to talk to your children about your illness, getting second opinions, what to expect the day of surgery and after, how to understand your pathology reports, the medical explanations of diagnosis, treatments and options, how to deal with health insurance and your employment and more.

Knowledge is power, and this book is chock full of answers, suggestions, resources that your doctors just won't think to tell you. If you've been diagnosed and feel that you have questions and don't know where to go to get them all answered, this book is an excellent resource and springboard.
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~ Written on 2008-07-03

"Newly diagnosed with breast cancer, my surgeon handed me this book at our initial meeting. What a Godsend! The text is brief enough to read quickly, but comprehensive enough to answer any questions one might have, as well as those not yet thought of, about breast cancer. The information is arranged in distinct chapters so that you need only read about whichever stage you or a loved one are going through. It is a "must read" before discussing options with your surgeon, oncologist, radioncologist, and plastic surgeon and even provides a list of questions for each. Should be required reading following any breast cancer diagnosis - both for the patient and their loved ones."
~ Written on 2007-10-23

"Judy Kneece's book is a marvelous resource for anyone who has breast cancer, and a perfect gift for friends who are struggling with the disease. It is technical, yet practical. An absolute must read. "
~ Written on 2006-06-16

"Spread the word about this superb book and the companion book for helpmates.

My own diagnosis of stage 3B breast cancer in November of '05 launched a search for materials that would guide me through the maze of tests, consultations, and treatment options. My sister-in-law, a retired nurse, quickly responded with this 6th edition/05 book and it's companion: Helping Your Mate Face Breast Cancer.

These books are given to each incoming patient by the Grant/Riverside Breast Health Center in Columbus,Ohio. A Breast Health Nurse uses these handbooks and the training given by the author to support patients throughout their treatment.

I have been so impressed with the easy to understand text and drawings ....particularly of the pathology report terms and lymphatic staging diagrams. I have come to believe through research and experience that this is the most comprehensive/inclusive patient-friendly book available to the newly diagnosed and their families.

This book is not sold in retail bookstores.
When I show this book to others they seek it out.
My local Wellness House is ordering these books for the library.
My hematology/oncology doctor has purchased them for her staff and patients.
The Lynn Sage Breast Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago now gives this book to new patients.
This book is top notch...spread the word.




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~ Written on 2006-04-10

"As a healthcare provider myself, I was a little disappointed that the information, coming from a nurse was a bit too surficial -- lots of touchy-feelies, not enough hard core info.

Reconstruction issues were glossed over. Brachytherapy was not described. Took me a long time to figure out how chemo and hormonal therapy fit together.

Susan Love's and Vladimir Lange's books are better if you want to figure out what to do, fast."
~ Written on 2003-11-14