OVERALL RATING Excellent
STRENGTHS A concise, hopeful, and practical approach to dealing with a diagnosis of cancer
WEAKNESSES Its focus on providing ways for patients to regain control of their lives results in a lack of detail on some topics
AUDIENCE Newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families
Cancer Is a Word, Not a Sentence is surprisingly unique. There are few books that provide a pathway to cope with the first few weeks after a cancer diagnosis. Other books on cancer tend to deal with the facts. The author helps patients move from the diagnosis to what he feels are the more important and relevant aspects of the situation. The book is organized into 6 questions. The first 3 questions are What’s going to happen to me next? What’s treatment like? and Isn’t there an easier way? He emphasizes the fact that cancer is not simply one diagnosis, but rather various diseases. The focus is on the emotional aspects of cancer management as opposed to a summary of facts. For example, checklists are supplied to make the process less intimidating. Buckman provides strategies to make sense of the myriad events patients will face; for this, the book is extraordinarily successful. The result, however, is that some sections are less detailed, requiring patients to seek information elsewhere.
The second half of the book diverges even further from standard books on cancer. Buckman addresses the questions How do I get back on track? Do I always have to have a positive attitude? and What can I do to help myself? This section contains fascinating topics, such as surviving versus thriving. The book is an accessible and quick read. Patients, health care providers, family members, and friends will find this book an invaluable guide to calming the emotional turmoil associated with cancer diagnosis.
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