"Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices – and Hope"

Lung Cancer:
Myths, Facts, Choices – and Hope
Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices – and Hope
by Claudia I. Henschke, Ph.D., M.D., and Peggy McCarthy with Sarah Wernick
(W.W. Norton, 2003)

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About the book
From the reviews
From The New York Times Books on Health column
Table of contents
From the first chapter

About the book
An authoritative book with new lifesaving strategies for those at risk and those already diagnosed. Winner of the 2003 June Roth Memorial Award for Health and Medical Books from the American Society of Journalists and Authors, as well as first place winner for trade books in the 2003 Medical Book Awards Competition of the American Medical Writers Association.
Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer, more men than prostate cancer. This authoritative book presents new lifesaving strategies for those already diagnosed and those at risk (including ex-smokers).

Lung cancer is deadly because it's usually found late. Dr. Claudia Henschke's groundbreaking research on early diagnosis, published in Lancet, made headlines worldwide. Now, for the first time, she offers specific recommendations based on her latest findings: who needs to be checked and how to get tested.

People with lung cancer often are told, “Nothing can be done.” Not so! Dr. Henschke and coauthor Peggy McCarthy, a leading patient advocate, provide up-to-the-minute advice, along with inspiring quotes from survivors.

If lung cancer has touched your life—or if you have reason for concern—this comprehensive and compassionate book can help you:

Understand how the lungs work and how cancer develops.
Pinpoint risk factors and the sometimes surprising symptoms, like back pain or swollen fingertips, that can signal a problem.
Learn how to find the best doctors and the latest treatments.
Remain healthy, active, and pain-free during and after treatment.
Cope with emotional and practical concerns, such as telling the children, dealing with guilt, and getting the most out of your insurance.

Lung Cancer Wins Two Awards
Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices - and Hope was first place winner for trade books in the 2003 Medical Book Awards Competition of the American Medical Writers Association. The organization, founded in 1940, is the leading professional association for biomedical communicators, with more than 4700 members from around the world.

The book also received the 2003 June Roth Memorial Award for Health and Medical Books from the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). This award, established to honor the late medical writer June Roth, is given every three years to a trade book representing exceptional achievement in health and medical writing.

Presenting the award, ASJA member Sally Stitch said:

The June Roth Award for Medical Books goes to a book on lung cancer, a disease associated with guilt and blame. The co-authors tackle these tough emotional issues head-on, as well as everything else the reader needs to know, from diagnosis to treatment. The book is so “unmedically” written that it reassures rather than terrifies.

From the reviews
This important book is a must-read for current and former smokers, others at risk, individuals with newly diagnosed lung cancer, and their family and friends.
— Paul Bunn, M.D., director, University of Colorado Health Sciences Cancer Center; president, American Society of Clinical Oncologists

This book is . . . for anyone with lung cancer or who may develop lung cancer. The information is as practical and up to date as you can find. The authors' insights help to marshal support for people with lung cancer and to allay the personal blame society wrongly applies to them.
— Pearl Moore, RN, MN, FAAN, chief executive officer, Oncology Nursing Society

An invaluable resource, offering information, support, and hope. I wish this outstanding book had been available when I was diagnosed. Everyone touched by lung cancer should read it.
— Karen Parles, editor and webmaster of Lungcanceronline.org

Provides people with lung cancer and their family members with the information they need to understand the disease, evaluate treatment choices, and use community resources. This book should be recommended to all those confronting a lung cancer diagnosis.
— Diane Blum, executive director, Cancer Care, Inc.

Bravo! Finally a book for the many men and women who are diagnosed with cancer each year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. This book will be invaluable to those diagnosed with the illness and their many loved ones.
— Cheryl Healton, Dr. P.H., president and CEO, American Legacy Foundation

Table of contents
An Important Message for Readers
Acknowledgments

Part I: The Changing Face of Lung Cancer
Chapter 1: New Information That Could Save Your Life
Chapter 2: Clearing the Air about Guilt

Part II: The Basics
Chapter 3: How Your Lungs Work
Chapter 4: When Cancer Intrudes

Part III: Beating Your Risk Factors
Chapter 5: Now You Can Find It Early
Chapter 6: Who's at Risk?
Chapter 7: Encouraging News for Smokers

Part IV: When Lung Cancer Strikes
Chapter 8: Diagnosis and Staging
Chapter 9: Coping with the News

Part V: Taking Charge of Treatment
Chapter 10: Preparing for Effective Treatment
Chapter 11: Surgery
Chapter 12: Chemotherapy
Chapter 13: Radiation Therapy
Chapter 14: Getting Access to the Latest Treatments
Chapter 15: Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Part VI: Living with Lung Cancer
Chapter 16: Treatment is Finished - Now What?
Chapter 17: Optimizing the Quality of Your Life
Chapter 18: A Message for Caregivers
Chapter 19: The Practicalities
Chapter 20: It's Never Too Late to Hope

Afterword
Glossary
Index

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