Living Without Fear: Understanding Cancer And New Therapies - Hardcover

Dr. Wagner is Director of the Oncology Research Institute at the Green ville Hospital System Cancer Center in Greenville, SC, and is Distinguished Professor of Molecular Medicine at Clemson University. He was the founding director of the Ohio University Edison Institute where he directed research toward the treatment of cancer, cardiovascu lar disease, AIDS and allied viral infections. Dr. Wagner received his Ph.D. at Northwestern Universitym and has served on the faculty of Cornell University College of Medicine, Sloane-Kettering Institute of Cancer Research and Ohio University. Dr. Bugeja is a nationally known ethicist, journalist and author. He is a frequest source about media and applied ethics to print and broadcast media. Dr. Begeja wasa state editor for the United Press International and he holds a doctorate in English from Oklahoma State University. He is presently teaching Ethics and writing at the prestigious E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

The authors aim to combat cancer, fear, and confusion with disease basics at the genetic and cellular level an important goal, as many patients are startled to discover that cancer is a genetic disease and that all cancer therapy is based on the cell cycle. The basic science behind the disease can help inform and empower patients, filling a gap in current lay literature. Unfortunately, oncologist Wagner (molecular medicine, Clemson Univ.) and Bugeja (Scripps Sch. of Journalism, Ohio Univ.; Living Ethics) fail to translate clearly the science of cancer to the consumer. Instead of providing simple explanations to clarify difficult concepts, they burden the text with metaphors that make the information difficult to follow and understand. In the book's homeostatic view of cancer care, the mind-body connection is an important element in disease progression and treatment. Yet science and belief are never fully integrated in the text, leaving the reader unsure what to think. Exercises based on visual imaging techniques to help patients "take charge" of the disease are provided at the end of each chapter and read like cartoon captions at the end of a heady discourse. Not recommended. Gail Hendler, New York Univ. Sch. of Medicine Home Economics
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