A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment, And Reconstruction. - Review - book review

AORN Journal, July, 2000 by Lillian Jansen

A WOMAN'S DECISION: BREAST CARE, TREATMENT, AND RECONSTRUCTION, third ed By Karen Berger, John Bostwick 1998, 680 pp $18.50 paperback

The most common malignancy American women face is breast cancer. Women today take a more active role in their health care needs and treatment decisions, and they deserve current, honest information about breast cancer, its prognosis, and treatment options.

A leading medical publisher and writer and an eminent breast reconstructive surgeon have written this book not as a medical text but as a resource for the general public. Although the female layperson is the book's primary target audience, men may benefit as well from the explanations of women's physical and psychological concerns that affect relationships. Physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals will find the information invaluable in deriving meaningful insight into their patients who have breast cancer.

This book can best be described as comprehensive. Every aspect of breast cancer--from the highly technical to the most personal, sensitive, and intimate--is included. Photographs and illustrations are added, along with beneficial aids in understanding breast anatomy and different types of mastectomy and reconstructive surgical procedures. Although medical jargon prevails, it is clearly defined and explained, as it is likely that patients and their family members will encounter this language during the course of treatment. Some sections are written in question-and-answer format. Others contain personal accounts of patients and their husbands sharing facts, experiences, and feelings and giving advice to readers facing breast cancer decisions.

This third edition omits discussion of trends toward total breast removal and instead focuses on risk factors, the importance of early detection, the diversity of treatment choices, and new research developments. Significant emphasis is placed on nonclinical issues, such as the physician selection process and the importance of having individual practitioners (eg, general and reconstructive surgeons, pathologists, radiation oncologists, nurses) partner with patients and family members as a team.

The book concludes with appendices, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography. The first appendix contains information about national and international organizations, breast cancer support groups and services, and cancer facilities and centers, including addresses and telephone numbers. Other appendices incorporate patients' rights, the breast cancer informed consent summary, and classification of breast carcinoma.

It is not necessary to read the entire book to benefit from it. The table of contents is well delineated, making concrete information easy to find. The book is extremely comprehensive and is addressed to women who currently have or someday may be diagnosed with breast cancer. I recommend it as an addition to every woman's library.

This book is available from Quality Medical Publishing, Inc, 11970 Borman Dr, Suite 222, St Louis, MO 63146; (800) 432-6865.

NOTE

1. R Macklin, "The ethical problems with sham surgery in clinical research," The New England Journal of Medicine 341 (Sept 23, 1999) 992-996.

LILLIAN JANSEN RN, BS, CNOR SURGERY EDUCATION COORDINATOR NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL ATLANTA