Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 432 pages
- Published by: Riverhead Trade November 4, 2003
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1573223433
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1573223430
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Book Dimensions:
8.9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
- Weighs: 14.4 ounces
From Publishers Weekly
This encyclopedic enyclopedia of "natural" medicinal strategies offers encouragement and much sound advice to cancer patients and those seeking to ward off the disease. The authors, doctors of
naturopathy, advocate complementing, not replacing, standard therapies with alternative therapies to prevent cancer, slow its progress and cope with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Their emphasis is on nutrition and diet, including vitamin and mineral supplements rich in antioxidants and heavy doses of herbal teas and fish oil, but they also cover acupuncture, hydrotherapy and massage. Their sober approach cites numerous medical studies, including those with conflicting results, to back up their claims, and warns readers when natural medicines are contraindicated or might interfere with standard medications. The sometimes bewildering amount of information is clearly summarized in bullet-pointed regimens tailored to specific kinds of cancer and treatment protocols, and accompanied with sample menus and recipes to make a low-fat, low-sodium, hot-dog-free (studies link the consumption of cured
meats to childhood cancers such as leukemia) diet more palatable. While the scientific jury is still out on the efficacy of some of the authors' recommendations, their basic program-stop smoking and drinking, exercise, eat lots of whole grains,
fruits and vegetables-is uncontroversial.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
More than 35 books on alternative or complementary treatments for cancer have been published in the last ten years, not including those on specific cancers, but this title stands out. Besides being exceptionally well written and researched, it is also very reader-friendly. Authored by four naturopathic physicians and endorsed by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the book begins with a discussion of how to prevent cancer with natural medicine and diet. A somewhat complicated cancer-risk self-assessment survey appears here. The second section covers responding to a cancer diagnosis and key questions to ask. A chapter on cancer-fighting natural products explores what the authors call "the super eight" and includes dosages of these compounds for specific cancers. The mind-body connection is also explored at length. The third section, which is the most useful in the book, addresses the use of natural medicines to help combat the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The extensive appendixes include daily plans for preventing and beating cancer and recipes. Recommended for consumer health collections not already possessing a recent work on the topic. Valeria Long, Grand Valley State Univ. Lib. at the Van Andel Inst., Grand Rapids, MI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reader ReviewsAfter having two close family members diagnosed with cancer I became very concerned about the nutritional and environmental links to the disease. When someone you love has kidney cancer and the doctors tell you that they don't know why it happened you have a tendency to panic. I set out to learn everything that I could about cancer and possible causes and/or techniques for prevention. Being a hospital administrator with just under two decades I have tended to look at complementary medicine with a jaundiced eye. In my case traditional allopathic medicine didn't seem to have the answer, so I decided to look into all the available alternatives. The book advocates a number of "natural supplements" that I have not introduced into our family. As someone that tries not to take medications due to their toxicity I choose to forgo these products. My particular medication phobia comes from having a good friend that is a pharmacist. If you don't have this particular phobia there is a lot of information about supplementation contained in the book. The book does contain dietary suggestions that make a lot of sense. The general dietary guidelines are as follows: (increase your consumption of fish, whole grains, legumes, cabbage, vegetables, nuts, and fruits and; decrease your consumption of meats, dairy, total fat, saturated fats, refined sugar, total calories and alcohol.) It is difficult to argue with this advice. It just makes good sense for all of us. There is an entire chapter in the book dedicated to making your body a hostile environment for the development of cancer. The principles that they outline would be healthy additions to most American's lifestyle. The gist is that if your body is properly nourished and hydrated your own immune system will be able to fight off the DNA mutations as they occur. There is another chapter dedicated to lifestyle and dietary changes to prevent particular types of cancer. This would be helpful if a specific cancer seems to run in your family. In summation, I thought the book was well organized and researched. The book contains 33 pages of endnotes should you choose to do any additional research on your own. If you know anyone with cancer I would recommend this book. At the very least the book will give the patient a sense of empowerment and optimism about their future.
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