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Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, 2nd ed.

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 725
Malin Dollinger, Ernest H. Rosenbaum, and Greg Cable. Edited by Richard Hasselback. Adapted by the Canadian Medical Association. 706 pp. Illust. Somerville House Publishing, Toronto. 1995. Distributed in Canada by the Canadian Medical Association, Ottawa. $25.95, CMA members; $34.95, nonmembers. ISBN 1-895897-40-8

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Overall rating: Excellent

Strengths: Fills a void in information on cancer required by patients and health care professionals

Weaknesses: None

Audience: Anyone needing an overview of the behaviour, treatment methods and prognosis for various forms of cancer


The purpose of this book is to provide an up-to-date, authoritative understanding of the behaviour and management of various forms of cancer. The book is strongly supported by the Canadian Cancer Society and the CMA. First published in the United States in 1991, the book was revised for Canadian readers in 1992. This is the second edition, published in response to strong demand in both countries. The material has been updated to take into account recent developments in the rapidly changing field of oncology. New editions are expected every 2 or 3 years.

Both Canadian editions are edited by Richard Hasselback, an experienced medical oncologist. Hasselback's 35 years of clinical practice, of cooperation with specialists in other medical disciplines and of innumerable lectures to lay groups and health care workers show through clearly in the book. It is unusual for a book with so many authors to maintain such a consistent style, with each chapter concise and understandable.

The second edition follows the same format as the first. Although the second edition is about the same length, it is printed in a smaller format, on higher-quality paper. This makes for a better book. The two-column format, the use of point form to identify important issues and the clear line diagrams make the book easy to read and understand.

Apart from a major section on the treatment of common types of cancer, there are chapters on issues relevant to patients and their families: an understanding of cancer, appropriate treatments, the roles of different personnel in health care teams, and what happens in surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. New treatments, such as bone-marrow transplantation, and questionable methods of management are discussed. These discussions give an extra dimension to the book. There are strong sections on supportive care, living with cancer, quality of life, cancer prevention and screening.

Although its target audience is the public, the book really has become Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy. Physicians and other health care workers, particularly oncology nurses, refer to it when discussing treatment with patients. I have also had patients discuss their treatment with me on the basis of information taken straight from this book.

The need and demand for the book speak for themselves. Copies have been made available in cancer clinics and libraries. The authors and sponsoring organizations are to be congratulated on a book that has quickly become a classic.

Peter J. Fitzpatrick, MB, BS, FRCPC, FRCR
Professor (retired)
Radiation Oncology
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS


CMAJ June 15, 1996 (vol 154, no 12)