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Information for the next chapter of your life

Helpful books shed light on breast cancer treatment, what to expect and how to explain it all to children.

By NANCY PARADIS
Published October 10, 2006

After the initial shock of a breast cancer diagnosis wears off, it's time to gather information for the battle ahead. The first source of information is one's medical team. The Web sites of major cancer organizations also offer a wealth of information. Then there are books. (See the National Breast Cancer Foundation site, www.nationalbreastcancer.org, for its list of books related to the disease.)

The following have recently been published and comprise information on treatment options, coping with side effects, resuming "normal" life after treatment, and how to deal with children and their questions.

The title well describes the content of Nordie's At Noon, The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer by Patti Balwanz, Kim Carlos, Jennifer Johnson and Jana Peters (Da Capo Lifelong Books, $20). These four meet every month at a Nordstrom for lunch, friends who share experiences with the disease. Chapter titles include "Help, I Have a Lump!" and "Life Is Still Good." Each woman expressed gratitude for the silver linings in the cloud of breast cancer.

Only If You Really Want To Know, Breast Cancer Hints and Treatment Side Effects by Catherine Bracken Scott (Therapeia Books, $9.95) offers a road map for those on the journey with breast cancer.

Breast Cancer, The Complete Guide (fourth edition) by Dr. Yashar Hirshaut and Dr. Peter I. Pressman (Bantam Books, $17) has four large chapters or "books" - "From Suspicion to Diagnosis," "Treatment," "After the Treatment" and "Life After Cancer." These cover every aspect of breast cancer in plain, understandable language.

After Breast Cancer, A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment by Hester Hill Schnipper (Bantam Books, $16) covers life after treatment, when the patient becomes a survivor with a new set of challenges and fears.

The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan by Carolyn M. Kaelin, M.D. (McGraw Hill, $18.95) is a thorough guide, with illustrations, for regular exercise, which research indicates can reduce the risk of recurrence and help with recovering energy and flexibility.

To help the children of her patients, Central Florida breast surgeon Shenin Sachedina wrote Metu and Lee Learn About Breast Cancer (Dr. Shenin Sachedina Medical Educational Products, $22). Written for ages 5 and up, the book's illustrated characters explain surgery, chemotherapy and radiation in terms easy to understand. It is for sale at some bookstores or online at www.amazon.com and www.metuandlee.com.

[Last modified October 10, 2006, 06:33:53]