Anticancer: A New Way of Life
by David Servan-Schreiber
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.49 You Save: $14.46 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.19 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Anticancer: A New Way of Life
Book Review: Response to Mr. Waltermire's review
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this book recently by chance. Coincidentally, my mother had just died of multiple myeloma (a blood cancer) and my sister is currently battling ovarian cancer, so this book caught my attention. I've always been (and still am) guided by scientific evidence, putting more stock in double-blind studies than new-age healing techniques, which often sound like quackery.
This book is not new-age quackery at all; the author holds an MD & PhD, and fully acknowledges, respects, and endorses the prevailing medical establishment's use of chemotherapies, surgeries, and radiation. Simultaneously, however, he also reviews the scientific evidence of the beneficial effects of proper diet, exercise, and mental outlook on the prospects of cancer patients. He also gives a convincing explanation of why such ideas are not part of the medical establishment's recommendations on pages 113-118. In a nutshell, the universe of admissible evidence for oncologists consists ONLY of the results of large scale double-blind studies on human subjects, which typically cost hundreds of millions of dollars and are financed by pharmaceutical firms. Epidemiological studies and the results of laboratory experiments (whether on human tumor cells or on mice) are thus not considered legitimate evidence for practicing oncologists.
There are already numerous other reviews here that highly praise this book; there is no need to repeat what others have said. I was moved to contribute here after reading one of the other reader reviews.
Mr. Waltermire's review of this book (a 2-star review, and the only review giving this book less than 4 stars) states that Servan-Schreiber incorrectly asserts that Stephen J. Gould did not die of abdominal mesothelioma, while in fact Gould DID die of it. However, the postscript to Gould's essay "The Median is Not the Message" by Steve Dunn, which appears here: [...] states the opposite: that Gould actually died of an unrelated cancer 20 years after his original diagnosis. If Steve Dunn is correct, then so is Servan-Schreiber; it is Waltermire who is apparently misinformed on this point. The Wikipedia entry on Stephen Jay Gould corroborates Dunn.
Book Review: Definitive book on cancer and cancer prevention
Summary: 5 Stars
Until March of this year, cancer was a bad word that happened to unfortunate people outside my family.
That was when my 86-year-old mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Suddenly, the world for me turned upside down. My existence shrunk: the world seemed cruel, brutal and unfair, and tragedy and disgrace loomed forever right in front of me. My profound sadness was mixed with despondency, helplessness and pointless anger.
Then, after reading voraciously anything about cancer I could lay my eyes on, I found this book in the internet, and saw a video with Dr. David Servan-Schreiber talking about "false hopelessness". The the expression caught my attention, as I identified that feeling in myself: hopelessness, powerlessness, impotence before my mother's predicament.
I bought the book and read it carefully, slowly. In several occasions I was moved to tears; in others, I breathed with relief: I was not alone, I AM not alone.
After reading it, I understand cancer better, and the world no longer seems unfair. Now there is hope. Hope to help my mother, if not to save her own life, at least to live whatever time she has left with comfort, dignity and grace. My mother's illness has taught me a lesson: to appreciate life, to respect my own body, to respect all that is alive and interconnected. Had I not read this book, I don't know if I would have been able to grasp this lesson with such complete awareness and to make it a life commitment in honor of my mother. She gave me so much, and she is still giving me something to the end. I am deeply thankful to her, and also to Dr. David Servan-Schreiber for laying bare his own vulnerability and, in doing so, helping millions of people.
The sadness persists, but there's solace and beauty. This book for me was like a brother's hug that made me cry even harder but brought relief, understanding, hope and forgiveness afterwards. Thank you again, David, for this gift.
Book Review: Excellent treatment of a complex topic
Summary: 5 Stars
In my previous job as a copywriter, I was responsible for seeking out and writing about the latest findings in the field of health and wellbeing. As a trained nurse, I know how to read medical literature and I've developed a pretty good eye for what represents sound research and reasonable conclusions.
Given all that, I had pretty high expectations of this book, and I wasn't disappointed. The fact that the reference section takes up 28 full pages of a 243-page book shows that the book has been extremely well researched, and is not just the product of the author's own musings.
Dr. Servan-Schreiber has taken an extremely complex and controversial subject, studied reams of published research reports on it and drawn together a practical, down-to-earth list of suggestions for minimising one's chances of developing cancer, or giving oneself the best shot at recovery and survival if cancer does develop. There's nothing spooky or way out, and no inflated promises or false hope. It's just solidly researched, sensible information that we can all apply in our lives (and which I believe will enhance our lives, whether or not the spectre of cancer is on the cards).
Despite the volume of medical data included in the book, it's written in layman's terms, yet without being too simplistic. Further, it's a very moving book that has a lot to say about living and dying well. My personal view is that this book is a precious gift to humanity, written with compassion and insight, and I thank Dr. Servan-Schreiber for making this information available all in one place so non-medical people can benefit from the vast number of discoveries that have already been made in the search to unlock the mysteries of this frightening disease.
Book Review: Living in the tail of the curve
Summary: 5 Stars
Having a family member with a rare cancer with a poor prognosis, I have to admit my hope was drained. Everywhere I looked there were no really hopeful answers and one treatment door after another seemed to be slammed in our faces. I am a person of faith, but I realize my faith was dashed by the very medical science we were looking for a cure in. I also look for evidence to support choices. There are many quacks who are preying on people and we've run into a fair share of them wanting to sell us their useless sugar pills in order to advance their down-line. Predators of the worst kind. We found this book and I admit I was sceptical at first, after all, here is another guy with something to sell. When I read Dr Servin-Schreiber's story and the first few chapters, I felt that here is someone who is interested in helping people. Everything is well documented. What Dr S does best in my mind is to give hope that perhaps with lifestyle changes, we can get a better long term outcome. Nothing looks harmful and the diet is really stuff that we've all heard for years. Dr S has done the work and compiled a lot of research into an understandable format and roadmap for anyone to follow, not only to fight the cancer you're in, but to avoid as best you can getting cancer. Dr S and I agree, we need to keep on doing what medical science has given us, but also do what we can with lifestyle to help ourselves in the battle. I bought this book for myself and my wife who's battling this enemy, and will buy it for our children as well. If you have a friend or loved one who's battling the disease, I would suggest getting it for them as well. If for no other reason than to give them hope that they can live in the tail of the curve.Book Review: Terrific
Summary: 5 Stars
Four years ago, I read a great book called Stop Inflammation Now! for heart health - I felt great very quickly after drastically changing my diet. Now I've fallen back on some bad habits, and this Anticancer book is kicking me back into focusing on reducing inflammation for overall health. (I need a book like this every year or two to keep me on track!)
I read a few sections of this Anticancer book here online, then ordered it 2-day shipping. It is quite an easy read, and very current and helpful. (I read about a study in the book in the evening, and then saw an article on that same study the next day at Reuters.com.) The day after the book arrived, I learned that a close coworker found out she had a tumor. I will recommend this book to her. It should offer hope to her as she has, according to this book, the best chance of recovery based on her very healthy lifestyle.
7/15/2009
Very sadly, my very-healthy & energetic coworker passed away only a month & a half after learning she had cancer. I never had a chance to mention this book to her, & hadn't read the section yet that details what to eat to regain appetite when very sick with cancer - somewhere around page 105, I think. (This highlights to me that you can't depend on time for research & diet change AFTER learning you or someone you care about is sick.)
Today I ordered my 7th book. Coworkers keep asking me to get it for them after leafing through my own copy of this book.