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Breast Cancer Recurrence and Advanced Disease

Comprehensive Expert Guidance

Book

Pages: 388

Illustrations: 6 tables, 9 figures

Published: September 2010

Authors: Barbara L. Gordon, Heather S. Shaw, David J. Kroll, Brooke R. Daniel

Subjects
Medicine and Health > Medical Humanities, General Interest > Reference, Gender and Sexuality > Feminism and Women’s Studies

At age 42, Barbara L. Gordon was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. Two years later, it appeared that the cancer had metastasized. Along with her oncologist and other experts, Gordon has written the book that she wished she had as she faced late-stage breast cancer and the prospect of dying from the disease. Filled with information and advice, and designed to enable informed decisions and improved quality of life, this comprehensive guide gathers in one place authoritative medical information about recurrence and late-stage breast cancer, and it addresses the practical, emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal aspects of dying and death.

This indispensable book aids those diagnosed with recurrent or late-stage breast cancer, those wanting to reduce the chance of a recurrence, and those with other types of late-stage cancer. It is also a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, friends, and family members.

Topics covered include

• Types of recurrence, their symptoms, and ways of minimizing the chance of a recurrence
• Diagnostic tests, potential surgeries, and treatments to manage late-stage cancer
• Getting the best care, evaluating complementary therapies, and alleviating pain and depression
• Cessation of treatment and what one may experience as the disease progresses
• End-of-life issues including dealing with financial and legal matters, communicating with loved ones and hospice workers, and planning memorial services

Breast Cancer Recurrence and Advanced Disease includes a glossary of medical terms, appendices on nutrition and integrative health centers, and links to current Web sites addressing matters such as clinical trials, patients’ rights, and medical expenses.

Praise

“Breast Cancer Recurrence and Advanced Disease provides a lot of relevant information to women with the condition. It discusses tools and resources to deal with a scary diagnosis, is practical and easy to read, and is written in an objective manner about medicine, daily living, and dying. Women struggling with the condition will find strength and guidance in this book.” - Helena Chang, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center

“This book is a wonderful resource for women diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer. It explains both the medical and the emotional implications of a second diagnosis of breast cancer and offers women practical information on treatment, as well as on matters such as finding funds to pay for treatment. It also gives excellent advice on wills, durable powers of attorney, advanced medical directives, and other issues people tend not to consider soon enough. The pros and cons of complementary and alternative approaches for this condition are clearly laid out.” - Terry and Joe Graedon, The People’s Pharmacy

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Information

Author/Editor Bios Table Of Contents Rights Additional Information

Author/Editor Bios

Barbara L. Gordon, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of English at Elon University in North Carolina.

Heather S. Shaw, M.D., was a breast oncology clinician, from 1999 to 2009, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center in the Multidisciplinary Breast Program of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

David J. Kroll, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences at North Carolina Central University, Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Brooke Ratliff Daniel, M.D., is a private practice medical oncologist at Chattanooga Oncology and Hematology Associates in Tennessee.

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xv

Introduction 1

1. Local and Distant Recurrence 5

2. Immediate Concerns and Best Care 51

3. Medical Treatments 83

4. Understanding Cancer Development, Treatment, and Emerging Therapies 115

5. Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Care 153

6. Managing Pain and Understanding the Dying Process 185

7. Practical Matters 211

8. Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being 263

Reflections on Death 293

Appendix A: Absolute and Relative Risk 297

Appendix B: Diet and Breast Cancer 301

Appendix C: Complementary Cancer Centers 311

Glossary of Medical and Scientific Terms 317

References 331

Index 345

Rights

Sales/Territorial Rights: World

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