Oncology Books

"At Face Value" details author Terry Healey's brush with death and his conversion from a focus on the externals of life to the fabric that makes up the human spirit. Healey, diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma while a college student, is a cancer survivor today. In "At Face Value," Healey chronicles his years-long journey from the initial, agonizing diagnosis through more than thirty surgical procedures and radiation treatments he endured.

Healey was not sure if he would survive the cancer, as it reoccurred. Once survival was a real possibility, he had to deal with having to never look "normal" as the fibrosarcoma radically disfigured his appearance, particularly his face. Thoughts of death and stares by friends and strangers were constant companions.

The author says "the book is not about cancer disfigurement but a much broader issue, society's quick judgment of people based on the superficial" and "our need to look beyond appearances." We need to look deeper, and focus on the internal fabric that makes up the human spirit.

The book explores the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by those forced on people faced with a serious life-threatening and disfiguring illness (or accident). These challenges are not unique to Healey. For example, a spiritual challenge most of us can identify with is our daily relationship with God. "I felt guilty about wanting to ask God for good health and favorable pathology results...why I only paid special visits to church when I needed help. Why couldn't I stop by church to say a few thanks now and then?...We all get caught up in our lives and tend to pray only when we're facing a major obstacle or illness ...eventhough (sic) I knew prayer always helps."

Today, Healey is a board member of the Wellness Community - helping others facing a life threatening illness - and is a highly sought after motivational speaker.

Inspiring. If I ever feel sorry for myself I will just pick up this book. Quite a story. Quite a personality. (I felt I got to know Terry personally.) And, I was thoroughly entertained with the story he was telling. Most of all....his book will help me face life with a better attitude.

JIM RICE

This book is excellent; an outstanding inspiration! I found myself laughing and crying in the span of 15 seconds and applauding his bravery with each turn of the page. Terry is a wonderful example of how positive thinking, coupled with a strong faith, are instrumental in the healing process. But we also see his many other raw emotions, and how they're hard to fight in the thick of battle. Terry, thank you for being extra transparent, allowing us to identify with your story (even if we don't have cancer) and apply it to our own challenges.

This book is a great read for anyone who wants to know just how indomitable the human spirit can be. Terry's story is written in a refreshingly candid style, giving us access to places that many authors seemingly avoid. By showing us his deepest fears and greatest challenges, he ultimately takes us on a journey of touching triumph.

While there are several amazing aspects to this book, I found the most moving and enlightening area to be his description of re-inventing himself "from the inside out." Virtually all of us have made up stories about ourselves that keep us separate from others. Terry 's illumination of this process can help each and every one of us to dispel those myths and ultimately enjoy much closer relationships - both with others and ourselves.

As a fellow sarcoma survivor, my journey with a different type of sarcoma, in a different location, was similar. Terry's recounting of his journey was helpful for me. It reinforced that the numerous emotions that one goes through both during and after the battles, however different are part of the process of healing. Like Terry, part of me is disfigured, but I have accepted the scars as battle wounds, as a reminder that I have won and life goes on. Terry put into words the very emotions that I encountered these past few years. Unless one goes down this dark path firsthand, it is very difficult to understand what living with cancer is like. I highly recommend this book for everyone, not just therapists, patients and caregivers. Terry wrote the book like he is telling his tale to his friends. His message is a great wake-up call to all, to not pre-judge others on appearances. There is a story behind every scar. Read the book, then pass it on to a friend. Thank you, Terry, for writing your story.

I bought this book a few years ago, and I often still think about Hannah and her story. It was so touching, and I cried through most of it. This is a book that I felt compelled to pass to a friend. I almost wish that I hadn't, so I could read it again.

I got a great price for this book and it arrived with in 2 weeks from the date of purchase. I was a little dissappointed when i opened the package because the cover and binding was damaged. It looked like they had tried to bend the book. Besides that the book was okay. You get what you pay for.

Oh boy, this was beyond tear-jerker for me. This was such an emotional story. I read this book in one day, while my husband was away. I was glad he wasn't here to tease me about sobbing all the way through this book. Maria Housden is a such a strong woman, what a horrible ordeal she and her family went through losing Hannah.

Hannah's Gift is the story of a remarkable little girl and her fight with cancer.

From the moment she was diagnosed, to the moment of her death, Hannah treats her disease and her fight for life in a unique, touching way.

Despite being only three years old, she appears to understand the cancer fully and is not scared of death, instead, she asks her Grandmother - 'Grandma, when I die, promise you wont forget me?'

Hannah lived her life fully and with no self-pity. I found Hannah's Gift to be less of a record of a families loss, but more a celebration of Hannah's life. Hannah truly brings to life the phrase - 'Only the good die young.'

I loved this book and it really helped me. Some think that Hannah was preceived as the "perfect" child, and I can relate to that. We just lost our Granddaughter on her 2nd. birthday, she had Cystic Fibrous, but died, not from CF, but during a "simple" 15-20 min. procedure in surgery. Two months after her passing I read Hannah's gift. I took care of our little Bethany, while our daughter worked, and they live within walking distance right next to us. We were together every day, so I saw all the same signs. These children ARE so special. They have so much love, they are almost perfect, with very small "wrongs". Like Hannah's mom, I got that feeling, that they know, their time on earth is short,just by the way their eyes will sometimes look at you. They know you love them so much as they love you, but they won't be here to share that love. Yes, Hannah's Gift was a touching story

This book is an excellent summary of cancer recurrence prevention strategies by a survivor-physician. It's also good information for those who haven't had cancer and hope to prevent it by making positive lifestyle choices. Not only does it cover information on additives in our food and statistics on details such as the increase in sugar consumption over the past century, it also discusses emotional well-being and the role of physical activity in creating and maintaining good health. The information is backed by scientific data. Dr. Servan-Schreiber's story of his diagnosis of a brain tumor at age 30 is dramatic.

If you don't have cancer and need motivation to stick to a healthy diet and exercise program you will find that this book contains powerful sticks carrots (searing life and death stories and insights into the nature of cancer) that most self-help health books designed for healthy people do not. And the author, a cancer patient himself, provides a detailed program (diet, exercise, meditation etc.) for you to follow.

This book is an absolute must read! For anyone who may have cancer and anyone wanting to live a healthier life to help increase the chance of NOT getting cancer. Once I started reading this book I had a hard time to put it down. Very interesting and enlightening.

There are many different sources for information to keep you healthy but here it is all in one book. You can avoid cancer and be healthy while doing it

Informative and eye-opening. A new way (to me, anyway) of looking at cancer from an empowering point of view, where one makes choices on how to deal with the disease (if you already have it), or how to avoid it for life. I have put in practice a few ideas of the book, and have given a copy to my mom and sister. Highly recommend the read.

In 2006 Holiday season, I receive this book as a Christma's gift. It truly was a hallmark on my cancer research. Until nowadays we search as references the experiments and experiences united on this remarkable book. My passion and hunger on dig in all contents was like a contagious fever in my lab. All researchers acquired one issue and the one's that hasn't yet, are willing to do so. By that, Dr. Weinberg and his work became a reference in the Northeast labs in Brazil, and my personal hero. For me, a PhD student struggling to improve my skills and knowledge, it was a perfect gift from Saint Claus! My regards to all scientists that pursuit these challenging area, on Molecular Biology of cancer. Aline Martins, Fortaleza, Northeast Brazil.

In the last 2 decades research on signaling pathways in normal and cancer cells exploded. An enormous number of publications are available and it is impossible for the non -expert to keep track. This book has long been overdue, since it lifts the educated non-expert to the state of the art. It does it by wonderfully describing the chain of knowledge generation from the discovery of important genes to the actual functional, molecular signaling pathways. This book describes results from Drosophila genetics, yeast genetics, mouse and human genetics, virology and immunology which are combined to explain how cancer can develop and how it can be effectively cured. The discovery of all the major players in cancer, oncogenes, proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and genes for apoptosis as well as the function of their gene products are described. After one reads this book, one is able to effectively and productively participate in research on cancer.
This book is nothing for novices in molecular biology. Profound knowledge in basic molecular biology as well as in the interpretation of 3-D structures of proteins is required. However, for the educated non-expert in cancer biology, this book is priceless.

This book is great! came with a CD. I received it on time . Great service for a great price.

it is a very good book not only for biologically majored post-graduate students, but also useful to area related with biology or who wants to get profound knowledge on cancer. Highly recommend to people who are working on cancer-related area.

First you must consider whom the author is- Dr. Weinberg is a member of the national academy of science and one of the most famous researchers in cancer biology, as he discovered what is still the most important oncogene in Ras, as well as probably the second most important tumor suppressor in Rb.
Of course, he's done a lot more than just that (too many contributions to list), and he's still at the Whitehead Institute.

As a student working in a cancer research lab, I found the book to be highly instructive.
Sure, I can just read review articles especially Annual Reviews for a lot of the things in the textbook, but there is no better single source for all things related to cancer in one package.
The figures are very nice as well, and they are simplified for easy viewing (FACS plot will not have jagged lines, for example).
However, the book is not missing in terms of primary data either as it has plenty of data from primary sources to demonstrate many of the points.

For example, there is a 50 page chapter on p53 alone.
You're not likely to find a 50 page review article on p53 anywhere else.
And the text is filled with recent references too, as evidenced by a 2006 ChIP paper's figure, referenced in the p53 chapter.

Spectacular, but not a quick read! If you or someone you know has cancer, then this is a must read. The author did a marvelous job of chronicaling the research path to great discoveries for cancer. Unfortunately, Dr. Folkman passed away last month but after reading this book you will have a better understanding of the legacy of important research he left behind and how it is continuing by the minute

This book is great gives a good understanding of the research community and the search to understand angiogenisis.

This book is a very well done documentary of the trials Dr. Folkman went through to have his ideas on cancer treatment considered. His ideas are now becoming the new approach, offering much needed hope for patients and their families. For anyone interested in cancer, this book is worthwhile.

This book by Robert Cooke is incredible! Mr. Cooke is able to explain to the average layperson the medical concepts of angeiogeneis conceived by the most under-valued person of our time: Dr. Judah Folkman. Dr. Folkman is to cancer what Salk was to Polio! Personally, Dr. Judah Folkman is my hero! A real hero, deserving of the Nobel Prize....and I don't speak lightly. I am a cancer patient that has recently learned that my cancer (thought was beat) has advanced to my lungs. The ONLY therapy for me is in an ANGIOGENESIS drug therapy program for a drug currently in study and labeled as "PI-88." I am just so confident this drug will work. I am the only patient with my type of cancer cell (adenoid cystic carninoma), so I am a little bit more of a lab rat for this program.

God Bless Dr. Folkman and h is incredible perserverance! His story should be a movie----a tale better than SeaBiscuit! He is my SeaBiscuit!

LHH

Chances are someone close to you has succumbed to the ravages of cancer, while you and the medical establishment could only sit by and watch the process reach its inevitable conclusion. The good news is, for nearly 40 years, Dr. Judah Folkman has been pursuing a cure for cancer -- or at least a way to fight tumors more effectively than chemotherapy or radiation -- that only until very recently has garnered serious attention. Dr. Folkman's theory is called angiogenesis, the process by which cancer cells emit an agent which triggers the growth of blood vessels to feed the growth of the cancer itself. For years Dr. Folkman's idea was basically scoffed at as the flailings of an amateur researcher, but Cooke shows how Dr. Folkman has perservered -- while maintaining his brilliant career as a physician -- and eventually, through a slow accumulation of experimental evidence, as well as the discovery of several antiangionesis agents, turned opinion around. Throughout this engaging and fascinating retelling of Folkman's journey, Cooke also provides an eye-opening account of the workings of academia, medical research, and their relationships to those Orwellian biotech companies you keep hearing about. The science is clear and vivid, the battle to defeat cancer inspiring, and the promise of victory -- thankfully, finally -- just around the corner.

This book was amazing.It is the story of four women in their fight against breast cancer.I couldn't put it down.I didn't want it to end.This book is not just about breast cancer.It inspires you to enjoy and appreciate life.I know a few women who have battled breast cancer and it made me feel closer to them.

I read about this book in People magazine and just had to get it. The book was even better than I could even imagine. Would recommend buying the book for all your girlfriends. A real tear jerker!

I have been a long-time supporter of breast cancer research and really enjoyed the tales of these women who were all diagnosed much younger than anyone thought possible. This book made me laugh and cry. While I was sad when it was over, I walked away inspired and uplifted. Would make a perfect gift for any woman in your life!

I had the pleasure of meeting Kim at a Komen event where she was the keynote speaker. I of course bought the book after her talk.
Nodies at Noon is a very honest account of breast cancer in young women. The four women each write their experiences on several poignant topics. While some issues are universal to all women going through the breast cancer experience, this book highlights certain issues unique to young women. Child birth and motherhood are two examples.
The book is bittersweet with one of the authors losing their battle with the disease, and one giving birth to a second child. Like Kim herself, the book is warm and thoughtful.
I would recommend it to anyone going through breast cancer or supporters of breast cancer patients.

I bought this for my mom, a breast cancer survivor. I had read a bit of it before I gave it to her and really like the style, very clever and real. My mom did say she is enjoying the book but would have rather had it while she was going through her treatments. She says that it is hard to go back to that place in time be it in films, tv, or books. She is very involved in helping other women going through treatments and says that she plans to use this book to help her new friends. Best of luck to those of you out there facing this horrible cancer or have loved ones in this situation, but you are never alone and there are always angels when you least expect it.

This is a very uplifting read on a gloomy topic. Hopefully you know Robert Schimmel from his Stand-up comedy act. I've seen Robert's comedy show 5 or 6 times, and consider myself to be one who recruits new fans to his shows whenever he comes to St. Louis.
I bought this book after one of Robert's appearances on the Howard Stern show. I thought this would be a good book to read on vacation on the beach.
So, here I am sitting on the beach, nice breeze, cocktail ready....I started to tear up after reading the first few paragraphs. What am I doing reading something sad on the beach???? I kept going and am glad I did. I couldn't put the book down. I couldn't wait to read the next word.
It was almost as if Robert was on stage telling us this whole story.

I would assume everybody has experienced a loss due to cancer or some other disease. I certainly have. This book walks you through the routine, highs/lows, emotions of that those afflicted go through.....Robert speaks almost as your relative, co-worker, or friend you may have lost.

Thanks Robert! I can't wait to see you!

I am not your typical book reader ,but after finding a book about your favorite comedian I could not resist.This was litterally the first book I read in over 20 years.I loved the book and was well entertained.I now have a more insight on how Robert's last decade really was.

It's always encouraging when someone beats cancer. And non-Hodgkins lymphoma is especially tough to overcome. Robert Schimmel had the advantage of age, good health, and caring support in his battle. And no doubt his determined sense of humor helped a lot too, besides bringing a welcome uplift to his fellow chemo patients. His book demonstrates that humor grows out of even the direst situation and that horniness survives all assaults.

There are no profound lessons in this volume beyond illustrating that mental attitude can make a bad time a little better. And whether attitude influences healing or not, it usually just feels better to be positive than negative.

I started reading after lunch today, and couldn't put it down. The writing is compelling and real, and inspiring in so many ways.
I am grateful that Mr. Schimmel lived through it all, and even more grateful that his book enriches our lives by reminding us about what really matters. As a survivor myself, and having lost many relatives to cancer, the book had my emotions all over the place...but through it all, the humor prevails. I can't remember ever reading a book that had me laughing and crying at the same time.

This book is in my collection after seeing him on Conan, and it's going to get a lot more readings from here on out. It's a keeper.

In many ways, Robert Schimmel is the Lenny Bruce of our times. After experiencing his performance at the Denver Comedy Works this past weekend, I read this memoir chronicling his deeply-personal, life-and-death battle with Stage III non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Bob is a stand-up comedian best known for his controversial sexual material and self-deprecating sense of humor, his HBO performances, and his appearances on The Howard Stern Show. His edgy style has gotten him into plenty of trouble. The networks are afraid of him, he confessed during his show. He joked about getting banned from Late Night with Conan O'Brien almost getting banned from The Hollywood Squares for making sexual jokes about Louie Anderson.

Cancer on $5 a Day tells the story of Schimmel's treatment and recovery following his cancer diagnoses in June, 2000. Bob was no stranger to cancer. He lost his son, Derek, to brain cancer at age 11. At the time of his diagnosis, Bob had just received the Stand-Up of the Year Award, and he was about to commence work on a new sitcom. His memoir reveals how Schimmel never lost his edgy sense of humor through this dark period of his life. He continued to laugh, even in the face of death, while receiving treatment at Mayo Clinic infusion center in Scottsdale. Even as his hair was falling out, Bob bantered with wig salesmen, inquiring about the possibility of a wig for his pubic area. The ultimate point of Schimmel's memoir is that, without a strong sense of humor during the tough times in life, you're pretty much f***ed (as he would say).

After his recent performance, Bob told me his battle with cancer changed his perspective on material possessions and the LA lifestyle. Although his doctors told him he would never have children again, Bob married his wife Melissa, and they have since had two children. Schimmel's inspirational survival story will make readers laugh and cry at the same time. Only a comic genius like Bob Schimmel could find so much humor in a possible death sentence. Recommended.

G. Merritt

A great help. Full of factual information and practical tips from parents who've "been there." It's a valuable resource for those of us who have a child who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

I was loaned the 2nd Edition in the hospital after our son was diagnosed with ALL. This book is so valuable to the family to help you learn and weather through all the processes you could face during this difficult time. I knew I had to have my own copy and bought a second copy of the 3rd edition to share with other families through the hospital. Many other members of our family intend to buy their own copies of the book as well.

If you are hungry for information, buy this book. It calmed my nerves and made me a better team member in my son's fight against cancer.

Our Son was diagnosed in April of 2006 with ALL Leukemia. Trying to understand all of the terms, meds and schedules is hard enough. This book is written by a Mom with the help of her Doctor's expertise. It puts very scary helpless feelings in laymen's terms. This Mom goes into detail on how to comfort and successfully treat your child. She gives you her experiences on what works and what doesn't and what to expect. It is also an up- to- date book, whereas many books were written years ago. As a Mom who has gone thru 7+ months of this diagnosis, I wish someone would have given me this book the moment our Son was diagnosed. It's great for the whole family to read as well.

As a grandparent of a recently diagnosed 3 year old with ALL leukemia I have found this book an important resource for me to understand the treatment for this terrible disease. The descriptions of the types of chemo used and its side-effects have been particulalry valuable during the early months since the diagnosis. The book is comprehensive with all aspects of the disease and is full of anecdotal and suggestions for coping with this disease at all phases of treatment. It also offers lists of available resources to be accessed. I highly recommend this book for parents, family members and caregivers.

I have been a survivor of ALL Leukemia for 23 years now, and really wish there were books like this then. But now is when all these books are coming out, I am trying to find a book or information on how long term survivors can cope with the long term issues we face.

Topics like planning for college, buying a home, saving for retirement. These are issues my mother addressed with me, and now it is too late to start addressing these issues for me. For others it is not to late. We are surviving longer, and this is a new arena for the doctors and social workers need to address.

My husband is not a book reader, but he read this book cover to cover. It scared him, but let him know what to expect. He was a wonderful caretaker. This book helped him get ready and know what to do, as well as what "Not" to say! We give it to other couples that have been diagnosed.

My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in early September 2008. A book was recommended for her to read (Just Get Me Through This!: The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer)which we found on Amazon. While on Amazon, I found this book for husbands, read the reviews and decided to buy it. Boy, am I glad I did! It is filled with helpful facts and figures, but beyond that, it is filled with meaning accounts of husbands and health care professionals that has helped me to be a better husband, care giver and support to my wife as she goes though this most difficult time in her's and our lives. It covers the husband's role in every stage of the process, from diagnosis through treatment. This book is money well spent.

I think I enjoyed this book the most out of all of the books I've read in the last few month of facing breast cancer. Being able to read it from a man's point of view was very uplifting and encouraging. The way in which the author explained things helped me to understand the my husband better and what he must be feeling. Thank you for taking the time to put yours and many other husbands feeling on paper.
Enjoyed the book very much, I feel that both men and women can learn much from this book.
Stepahed

Excellent book for the husband but great if the wife reads it too. Wonderful author, easy to read and I would recomend to every Breast Cancer Husband out there!

This is an interesting and informative book for husbands whose wives have been diagnosed with cancer. A lot of the book is common sense but it has informative passages that help with the awkward social situations that come up in conversations and with friends. It helps take some of the stigma sting out of answering stupid questions that people ask. I liked this book a lot and recommend it for reading.

I think it is a bit overly long but a good weekend with a 6 pk. of cold Bud Lite will easily get you through the entire book.

I read this book in just a few days. It prompted me to give myself a breast exam and low and behold I found a lump.
Turns out I had developed a cancerous tumor but caught it in the early stages. This book changed my life in sooo many ways

The book was well-written and interesting for the most part, but I think its conclusions misrepresent the contribution of Herceptin to the battle against breast cancer. Post-marketing studies have shown that Herceptin is not the wonder drug it was hoped to be. The book downplays the cardiac side-effects which are both more common and more serious than Bazell lets on. Nothing has changed in the battle against cancer. Despite the entry of this new weapon into the arsenal of oncologists, the quest to defeat cancer is still (to mix my metaphors) more like sticking boards in the sand to hold back the tide than building a sea wall.

I had to read this book for my Biotechnology class and although I am close to failing it I found Her-2 to be pretty exciting book.
Her-2 by Bazell and King is about breast cancer, however, it reveals many other interesting things about the drug industry and how progress is made in the medical research field. There are different stories and view points and the authors have succesfully managed to combine all this into a book that both teaches and thrills us. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn more about breast cancer and about the insights of creating and bringing to the market a revolutionary drug - from selection of the trial patients to the President's office.

I am a newly diagnosed young woman with breast cancer that over express her2/neu. I am considering taking Herceptin for an early stage cancer. I would not have this possible choice were it not for the wonderfuly minds and efforts of the people that created Herceptin. My thanks to Dr. Slamon and Dr. Ullrich! And really mostly, my thanks to the brave women who faced this horrible disease and enrolled in the trials. This book reads like a novel. I couldn't put it down and read it in 1 sitting. It's a thriller! If I had 1 small complaint it would be that it only very lightly touches on the possible side effect of heart damage especially when used in conjunction with Adriamycin, which weighs heavily on my mind. This is a great read for breast cancer patients and anyone who wants to read a great book.

This book gave new light and explored old beliefs about breast cancer. I have never been so impressed by the intellect of such a powerful author as Robert Bazell. Every part of the Her-2 intereasted me and each page left me completely speechless. I would recommend this book everyone willing to explore the idea of an outstandingly facinating book.