Best Book I Read on BC So Far . . .

Britt
Britt Member Posts: 731
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hello everyone!

I think we should start an on-line book club . . . I had read in several posts here about "Cancer Vixen" by Marisa Acolella Marchetto - ordered it from Amazon, received it yesterday and devoured it in one delicious sitting - so far, the most ecovative, funny, moving yet extremely informative book I have read to date on this subject - I highly recommend it!

How many others have read this book,and are there any others in a similar vein that you would also recommend?

Blessings to all!

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  • AllieM22
    AllieM22 Member Posts: 464
    edited December 2008

    Hi-I like the book club idea! always good to get more info. The book I LOVE is "Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life". It's a great combination of info from studies as well as anecdotal info from people he knows (he's a dr who had brain cancer at age 31), info on how the western diet can aid cancer growth and some other helpful things. I really liked it--very readable but scientific enough that you learn something. Doesn't preach against western medicine at all but talks about how diet can really help keep cancer from growing in the first place or recurring. And not crazy diet stuff--very do-able.

    I think I saw your book in the bookstore--will have to pick it up now. :) 

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited December 2008

    I just got Cancer Vixen from the Library- I have not even opened it yet- I will have to make a Point to do that today.

    My Favorite so far has been Bathsheba's Breast By James Olson

    Pam

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  • AccidentalTourist
    AccidentalTourist Member Posts: 365
    edited December 2008

    I haven't read Cancer Vixen so cannot vouch whether the book I am recommending is similar but of all the books I have read the only one that I am constantly using as reference is 'Your life in your hands' by Jane Plant.  The author is British so her experience of health system might not reflect yours but I cannot imagine that her argument re diet and other life changes which helped her stop her cancer coming back (which it prevously did five times despite having mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation) would not resonate with everyone who has had to go through this experience.  There is one book which did not enjoy.  It is called 'I am not my breast cancer'.  Perhaps I read it at the wrong time so I may be unfair but at the time (just after diagnosis and before my surgery) it made me feel rather low.  I think it was all the gory details of side effects of treatments which I was not yet ready for.

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  • Britt
    Britt Member Posts: 731
    edited December 2008

    Hi Accidental Tourist -

    Happy Holidays!  Yes, those of us (like myself) who are currently in that limbo between diagnosis and surgery must be very careful about the BC books that we read.  I read several that had me reeling and in utter terror of the "gory details of side effects of treatments" as you so aptly commented!  I understand one must educate oneself about what is going to happen, but too much "information overload" at a time when one is emotionally low can have a detrimental effect.  I am currently giving myself a "moratorium" on BC books during the holidays - my surgery is 1/9/09 and whatever will happen, will happen!  Enjoy your Yuletide!  Britt

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  • AccidentalTourist
    AccidentalTourist Member Posts: 365
    edited December 2008

    Hi Britt,

    In the end the treatment for me was not nearly as bad as I feared.  In fact if it does not come back (sorry I am, as you put it, in limbo between the treatment and first check up and the closer it gets the more anxious I am) I would consider myself lucky.  The after effects of surgery are never nice but they do pass surprisingly quickly.  I will be thinking of you on 9 January.  With best possible wishes  Nena

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  • auroravtj
    auroravtj Member Posts: 113
    edited December 2008

    I really liked the book Breast Cancer for Dummies. It had what I needed to read at that time. Not scary and written so I could understand. With some humor(?) between subjects. Janet

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  • AccidentalTourist
    AccidentalTourist Member Posts: 365
    edited December 2008

    I just got Cancer Vixen and I see what you mean.  Better go so that I can read some more but cannot finish it in one sitting - working tomorrow.  Thank you for the recommendation, it is always good to discover new books.

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  • vivre
    vivre Member Posts: 2,167
    edited December 2008

    I have been trying to avoid books about bc, but I am reading everything I can get my hands on about good health. One book that really put me on the path to doing all I can in preventing a recurrance is by Dr. Ray Strand, "What your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May be Killing You". Dr. Strand was a traditionally trained MD but became increasingly distressed that he could not help his wife deteriorating health due to fibromyalgia. He tried everything he had been taught, but nothing helped to relieve her pain. As a young women in her 30's she was becoming an invalid. Then she started taking supplements and withing days began to improve. To make a long story short, she is now healthy and happy and working with her beloved dressage horses. He does a great job of explaining how disease happens, how our bodies are made to fight it, and what we need to do to get rid of the oxidative overload that causes cancer. What I love the most about this book is that it is so full of hope. You will find it so empowering because he explains that we are not helpless victims, and can be proactive in getting and staying healthy. He also has a website that explains more: drraystrand.com

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