HOW NOT TO BE MY PATIENT: A Physician's Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis

Creagan, a cancer specialist at the highly acclaimed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and co-writer Wendel present a hopeful yet realistic view of cancer treatment and prevention. Having treated thousands of cancer patients in the past 35 years, Creagan has seen it all. Contrary to its title, however, the book fails to reveal any truly earth-shattering secrets, but it does offer a comprehensive overview of the best ways to prevent cancer or deal with a diagnosis. Creagan stresses that a diagnosis of cancer need not be a death sentence, nor are our health destinies solely defined by heredity. A number of factors influence health, and Creagan outlines the ways to combat disease. Along with religion, spirituality and connectedness, Creagan advocates lifestyle changes, explaining that exercise, nutrition and early detection all play vital roles. The book includes a helpful section on how to communicate effectively with a physician as well as an explanatory checklist of important diagnostic tests. Becoming an "empowered" patient is crucial; Creagan suggests that all patients maintain copies of their medical records. Creagan responsibly and compassionately covers the many steps readers can take to give themselves the best odds of surviving or avoiding cancer and other diseases. (Oct.)