Treatment

100 Questions and Answers About Breast Cancer.
Brown, Zora, and LaSalle Leffall. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc., 2003. ISBN: 076371853X
This book is presented in a question-and-answer format that is easy to read and understand. The answers are provided to many common questions that arise while coping with breast cancer.

101 Uses for an Empty Bra.
Johnson, M. 2000.
This collection of cartoons is intended to provide humor at a time that often evokes fear and uncertainty. This attempt at humor may be more acceptable to some women than others. The introduction, dedication and acknowledgements, and preface describe how the book evolved from a few cartoons drawn by a brother of a breast cancer survivor to cheer his sister during treatment, to a collection assembled for publication. One hundred and one pages of hand-drawn cartoons and hand-written captions make up the content of the book.

A Woman's Guide to Healing from Breast Cancer.
Lu , Nan. New York: Avon Books, Inc., 1999. ISBN: 0380809028.
Dr. Lu is a classically trained doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is committed to educating women about the ancient art of TCM as well as empowering women with healing capabilities. His book is an easy-to-read guide that provides the history and basic principles of TCM, as well as preventive techniques designed to help a person better understand the lifestyle habits that could cause future health problems.

A Survivor's Guide to Breast Cancer.
Chang, Alice. New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2000. ISBN: 1572241853.
The author gives a personal account of her own experience as a breast cancer survivor. The author includes important facts about treatment and useful tips on coping with the psychological consequences of breast cancer.

A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment and Reconstruction.
Berger, Karen, and John Bostwick. Quality Medical Publishing, Inc., 3rd Edition, 1998. ISBN: 0312182295.
The book thoroughly explores cancer treatment techniques and medical information. The book details the medical and emotional issues a woman faces when confronting breast cancer.

After Breast Cancer: A Common-Sense Guide To Life After Treatment.
Schnipper, Hester Hill. New York: Bantam Books, 2003. ISBN: 0553381628.
This book represents all women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. The book is written from the author's point of view and gives practical advice and solutions for many of the issues women face after treatment. She includes details about her own breast cancer experience and candidly expresses what she was thinking and feeling during that time.

Be a Survivor: Your Guide to Breast Cancer Treatment, Third Edition.
Lange, Vladimir. 2005. ISBN: 0966361083.
This book covers the treatment of breast cancer today by addressing the usual topics of breast cancer basics, diagnosis and staging, each type of treatment, complementary and alternative therapies, clinical trials and life after cancer. A resource list and glossary are included, as well as a guide for your partner and questions to ask your healthcare provider. The questions posed at the beginning of each chapter, along with photos and quotes in the margins, give the book a personal feel.

Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of Basics for Patients.
Stewart, Susan K. BMT Newsletter, 1995. ISBN: 1885676085.
Written by patients for patients, with the help of several nurses and doctors, the book describes the procedures and issues surrounding bone marrow transplants.

Breast Implants: Everything You Need to Know.
Bruning, Nancy. Hunter House, 2nd Edition, 1995. ISBN: 0897931750.
The book provides a comprehensive overview from the perspectives of consumer health advocates, the Federal Drug Administration and the medical community.

Cancer Clinical Trials: Experimental Treatments and How They Can Help You.
Finn, Robert. Sebastopol, Calif: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., 1999. ISBN: 1565925661.
The book provides a good overview of clinical trials for the breast cancer patient and her family or friends. The book details the different phases, ethics, history, types, insurance issues, inclusion/exclusion criteria, administration and evaluation of clinical trials.

Chemotherapy Gives New Meaning to a Bad Hair Day.
Marin, Eileen. Meltdown International, 1996. ISBN: 1885676085.
The book uses humor to balance the emotional issues of a cancer diagnosis. The author focuses on the importance of expressing emotions and using humor to help get through difficult times.

Common Bonds - Reflections of a Cancer Doctor. Berger, Roy E. 2002. ISBN: 075961377X. The book offers an often unheard perspective from a doctor who cares for cancer patients. An oncologist who practices outside of New York, he tells of his experiences with his patients as they struggle to conquer cancer. Stories of patients with all types of cancers are shared. The care, compassion and sympathetic response from Dr. Berger are seen in each story. The readers also gain a better understanding of how doctors work together to treat patients.

Comprehensive Cancer Care.
Gordon, James S., and Sharon Curtain. Perseus Publishing, 2000. ISBN: 0738204862. www.perseuspublishing.com.
This book provides an authoritative guide to the integration of conventional, complementary and alternative cancer therapies. It reports on the most accepted and researched complementary and alternative practices-from traditional Chinese medicine, immunomodulating substances, nutritional supplements, and herbal therapies to mind-body approaches and energy medicine-including assessments of their efficacy, side effects and cost effectiveness, and how they can best be integrated with conventional care.

Coping with Chemotherapy.
Bruning, Nancy. Ballantine Books, Inc.,1993. ISBN: 0345374096.
An excellent reference book that includes the author's personal experience as well as commentary from health professionals.

Coping with Lymphedema.
Swirsky, Joan, and Diane Sackett Nannery. Publishing Group, Inc., 1998. ISBN: 0895298562.
This book provides information about lymphedema, a little-known disorder that results when the lymphatic system becomes damaged due to surgery, hereditary factors, or other unknown causes.

Defeating Breast Cancer.
Keen, Stacey. iUniverse, Inc., 2004. ISBN: 0595336035.
This book is a physician's story of healing, martial arts and life. The author writes about her own journey as a radiologist who viewed her own screening mammogram. In telling her story, Dr. Keen relays not only her mental and emotional journey, but also her experience with complementary medicine (acupuncture) and her traditional course of treatment (surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy). Dr. Keen is candid, witty, and knowledgeable, and she offers a unique perspective as medical expert, patient, and survivor in one.

Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy.
Dollinger, Malin, and Ernest H. Rosenbaum and Greg Cable. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 3rd Edition, 1998. ISBN: 0836237099.
Good basic information on cancer and treatment options such as chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, coping and home-care resources.

Healing: A Woman's Guide to Recovery After Mastectomy.
Benedet, Rosalind Delores. 1993. ISBN: 0963791702.
Written by a nurse practitioner, this is a short and very practical book about mastectomy and recovery.

Healing Outside the Margins.
O'Toole, Carole, and Carolyn B. Hendricks. Washington, DC: LifeLine Press, 2003. ISBN: 0896261936.
This book provides a wealth of information regarding complementary therapies and the author's own personal breast cancer experience. The book is intended for anyone living with cancer-newly diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, recovering or looking to prevent a recurrence.

I Flunked My Mammogram!
Bodai, Ernie. B2Z Publishing Inc., 2001. ISBN: 0971207003.
Dr. Bodai presents an overview of risk factors, treatment, and recovery for breast cancer patients. Sections are somewhat brief, with basic information given about each subject. The Appendices provide a table of breast cancer drugs and anti-nausea medicines, clinical guidelines for physicians, glossary of terms, other print resources, Internet sites and national organizations.

Living in the Postmastectomy Body: Learning to Live and Love Your Body Again.
Zuchweiler, Becky. Hartley and Marks Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN: 0881791520.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of the author's preventive mastectomy experience and the challenges and decisions associated with a mastectomy.

Mayo Clinic Guide to Women's Cancers.
Hartmann, Lynn C., and Charles L. Loprinzi. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Clinic Health Information, 2005. ISBN: 189300533X.
This book presents information about treatment, prevention and coping for patients with breast and/or gynecologic cancers. The information is reader-friendly and the conversational tone is that of a physician actually talking with the reader. The book provides testimonials to illustrate the different decisions women may make under the same circumstances. The illustrations, simple graphs, the questions/answer sections and the use of color blocks are effective in presenting detailed information (such as, stage of disease, etc.) in an understandable format.

Menopause and the Mind.
Warga, C. New York: The Free Press, 1999. ISBN: 0684854562.
Written by neuropsychologist and researcher, this book is a wealth of information about the brain and menopause. Brain and clinical research findings are reported and many questions are raised for further study. Recognizable, detailed descriptions of behaviors associated with the decrease in estrogen that occurs during perimenopause and menopause are given. Suggestions for the treatment and management of the symptoms to regain control and confidence are also given. The application for breast cancer patients is implied. The usefulness of this information by breast cancer patients is largely because they are women and because they may experience ovarian suppression due to breast cancer treatment.

Over 140 Things You Need to Know About Your Autologous Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant.
Patton, Mark. Bayside, Wisc.: MGC Publications, 2005. ISBN: 0976806002.
The author, self-proclaimed "World's Most Transplanted Person," shares the experience of undergoing multiple stem cell and bone marrow transplants. The book provides practical advice and helpful hints as to what one might expect during this form of treatment. The reader can understand the challenges of preparing for the treatment through stem cell collections and bone marrow harvests, recovering from low white blood cells, maintaining good health during chemotherapy/radiation, and dealing with hair loss. Also available is a comprehensive resource section which includes toll-free numbers and Web site addresses.

Take Charge of Your Breast Cancer.
Link, John. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2002. ISBN: 0805070567.
This book is a guide for navigating breast cancer treatment, diagnosis and survival. The author shares what he's learned in more than thirty years as a physician and researcher, providing you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.

The Best News About Radiation Therapy.
Kornmehl, Carol L. 2003. ISBN: 0972189602.
The book, written by a radiation oncologist, provides extensive details about radiation therapy for all types of cancer. It informs cancer patients about what to expect from the first introduction to radiation therapy to the completion of treatment. It also explains how radiation therapy attacks cancer cells, how it is used in the treatment of cancer, either alone or in conjunction with other types of treatment, and the special forms of radiation therapy.

The Courage Muscle: A Chicken's Guide to Living With Breast Cancer.
Spencer, Monique D. Chandler House Press, Inc., 2004. ISBN: 1886284741.
This book is the author's story of her breast cancer treatment and how she used humor to cope with this frightening disease. The book provides compassionate advice about surviving the ordeal of cancer treatment, and growing through it.

The Patient's Guide to Outstanding Breast Cancer Care.
Senofsky, Gregory, and Lauren Hartman. The Berkley Publishing Group, 2002. ISBN: 0399528113.
This book is written with help from a team of experts who specialize in breast cancer care. The book is formatted to guide the patient through the process of a breast cancer diagnosis, its treatment options, breast reconstruction, managing recurrent breast cancer, complementary medicine, as well as dealing with the patient's emotional well being. This book provides step-by-step guidelines and questions to ask your doctors - as well as crucial insight from women who have won the battle against breast cancer.