When Cancer Hits Home

An oncologist whose parents died of cancer brings his unique perspective to this thoughtful and surprisingly touching reference aimed at helping people reduce their risk of cancer and learn about diagnosis and treatment. The book covers some familiar but important territory: reducing the chances of getting cancer via quitting smoking, eating well, exercising, and practicing safe sex. Maguire also discusses topics like prostate and breast cancer testing and their risks and benefits for early detection%E2%80%94he favors both. But the manuscript's real strength lies in the author's calm, concise discussions of treatment options for the 20 most common types of cancer. Maguire presents readers with synopses of patients' diagnoses, workup, treatment, and outcome. These histories are sometimes heartbreaking%E2%80%94like the case of a retired accountant whose melanoma doesn't respond to treatment%E2%80%94and often inspiring%E2%80%94like the case of a retired seamstress whose lymphoma is cured. "If I'm able to lessen that fear [of cancer]... for even a few people then I'll have achieved my goal," Maguire writes in this valuable reference that reminds readers that knowledge is power.