Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence: A Practical Guide to Help You Through the First Few Weeks

This book is intended for those who have just been diagnosed with Cancer. It also has a section for those whose loved one or friend has been diagnosed with Cancer. It's a book that doesn't try to sugar coat or blame but just tries to put things in perspective. As he says himself viruses cover a vast spectrum of diseases, from the common cold to HIV and can be described as an Infection, if we loaded the word Infection with the same loading that we give to Cancer we wouldn't cope well with a cold or minor infection. Still Cancer is a scary road (been there, done that myself) and this is a book that would help, it goes through, not only diagnosis, but also what to expect from different treatments, the why of some treatments and some of the major side-effects. Many of these I knew from experience but some caused a raised eyebrow and a mental "so that was why that happened". Yes, Cancer isn't easy but this is one of the good books to help make it less of a minefield, both for patients, their family, friends and workmates. There are too many others that play the blame game, this one is one of those that look it on an unlucky lottery draw, as something you have to cope with and then move on, no matter where you go next.

Finally: a cancer guide for those newly diagnosed which offers up tips and advice for surviving the acceptance of the diagnosis in Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence: A Practical Guide to Help You Through The First Few Weeks. The diagnosis begins a process which involves many choices and a steep learning curve; but it isn't usually one so time-driven as to prevent making informed decisions and getting more information on options. This book offers a clear survey of what cancer is, what a diagnosis means, and how to gain control of the medical system as a whole. It's a book which needs to be in any general-interest library as well as many a specialty health collection.