An oncologist and founder of BreastCancer.org, Weiss (Living Beyond Breast Cancer
) and her 18-year-old daughter have surveyed 3,000 mothers and their daughters to produce this chatty but informative book on breast health for girls and adolescents. The text covers everything from getting the first bra to risk factors for breast cancer (which, the authors note, is nearly nonexistent in teens), and is peppered with questions posed by girls of all ages, ranging from when to start regular breast exams to why breasts sometimes feel painful or tender. Reassuring their readers that breasts come in all shapes and sizes, the mother-daughter duo deals with body image, teasing and bullying, surgery for breast reduction or enhancement and how to do a breast self-exam. Although they stress that for girls most lumps and pains are harmless and normal signs of growth, the message that early care of the breasts is vital rings clear. In a chapter called “Think Pink Live Green,” the authors arm girls with choices they can make for their own breast health future, including eating organic foods, avoiding drinking and smoking, exercising and keeping weight in check. This empowering book will be an excellent impetus for honest conversations about breast health and development. (Sept.)
