Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment

Kenneth D. Miller, M.D., a practicing medical oncologist, is an assistant professor of medicine and oncology at the Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine. He serves as the director of the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic and of the Supportive Care Program at Yale Cancer Center.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Understanding the ChoicesPart 1. The Big PictureChapter 1. Making DecisionsChapter 2. What is Breast Cancer?Chapter 3. A Statistic of OneChapter 4. "Why Me?" A Discussion of RiskPart 2. Understanding the Treatments: The Doctor's PerspectivesChapter 5. Assembling the Treatment Team and Charting a CourseChapter 6. Facing SurgeryChapter 7. Profiles of Two Breast SurgeonsChapter 8. Radiation Therapy for Breast CancerChapter 9. Profiles of Two Radiation OncologistsChapter 10. Beyond Local Therapy: Hormonal Therapy and ChemotherapyChapter 11. Profiles of Three Medical OncologistsChapter 12. Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy: What Are My Options? Chapter 13. Profiles of two Reconstructive SurgeonsChapter 14. Treatment Options for Metastatic Breast CancerPart 3. Notes on the Experience of Having Breast CancerChapter 15. The Shock of Finding OutChapter 16. Neccessary Decisions: Surgery, Radiation Therapy, and Breast ReconstructionChapter 17. Considering Adjuvant TherapyChapter 18. Reflections on the ExperiemcePart 4. Survivors Tell Their StoriesChapter 19. Stories from Women at High RiskChapter 20. Stories from Women with Non-Invasive Breast CancerChapter 21. Stories from Women wityh Invasive Breast CancerChapter 22. Stories from Women with Advanced Breast CancerPart 5. When Cancer Specialists Get CancerChapter 23. A Professional and a PatientChapter 24. Lessons LearnedChapter 25. "You're Going to Live"Conclusion: The Agony and the Opportunity of ChoiceAbout the ContributorsIndex

An indispensable resource for any breast cancer patient or a patient's friends and family. -- Olivia Boler Foreword 2008 Miller's approach provides the reader with the sense that she's had a private and unhurried consultation with each specialist: medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons... This collection will help to fortify women making tough choices, offering invaluable information along with hope. Publishers Weekly 2008 There is a great deal of very detailed information in this book. -- Sheila Thomas Consumer Connection 2007 More than a standard reference guide... this book arms readers with knowledge, confidence, and hope as they begin their journey from sickness to health. American Journal for Nurse Practitioners 2008 This step-by-step guide offers newly diagnosed patients a path through the complex and often overwhelming array of information and decisions... helpful charts and illustrations accompany clearly presented medical information, all conveyed in an inclusive, supportive tone. -- Jody Rosen Knower MAMM 2008 This is a useful book for patients and their families as it provides a good description of treatment options as well as tips from breast cancer survivors. -- Heidi H Richardson, MD Doody's Review Service 2008 Appropriate for all women, their family members and friends, physicians, and other care providers... Recommended. Choice 2008 Highly recommended to every woman... and for community library health shelves in general. Midwest Book Review 2008 This fine book achieves the goal of providing clear and relevant medical information and guidance from specialists in order to help patients make treatment decisions. In addition, through the narratives of both patients and physicians, it will likely provide inspiration and hope to women who are confronting the challenge of breast cancer. -- Christina I. Herold, M.D. Informa Healthcare 2008 Finally-one-stop reading for any woman facing breast cancer. Health for Women 2008 Well written and very understandable for the lay audience. -- Rachel Benz, RN, BSN, and Karen Meneses, PhD, RN, FAAN Oncology Nursing Forum 2008 A resource that combines medical expertise with emotional insight in a valuable and educational way for women at any stage of the breast cancer journey. Women & Cancer magazine