Hysterectomy Hoax: The Truth about Why Many Hysterectomies Are Unnecessary and How to Avoid Them
Author: Stanley West
While more than 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States, 90 percent of them are unwarranted. This vital health guide offers women the information they need to empower themselves in making critical health decisions. For example, surgery can often do more harm than good and may pose needless risks, except in situations involving a life-threatening illness such as cancer. However, surgeons often rely on hysterectomies as a panacea for everything from premenstrual syndrome to uterine fibroids. An important step in bridging the communication gap between patient and physician are the specific questions in this book for women to ask their doctors. Included is information about various gynecological conditions with suggestions for alternative treatments, such as endometriosis, uterine prolapse, ovarian cysts, and precancerous conditions.
Go to: Macroeconomia
100 Questions and Answers about Myeloma
Author: Asad Bashey
Written by a hematologist-oncologist specializing in myeloma treatment, and featuring insider advice from an actual patient, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer: Melody L McKinney, DNS, RN (Indiana State University)
Description: Written from the professional perspective of a hematologist-oncologist specializing in myeloma treatment and the personal experience of a patient with myeloma, this valuable little resource provides both authoritative and practical answers concerning treatment options, post-treatment concerns, quality of life, and resources for managing the physical and emotional consequences of this potentially overwhelming disease.
Purpose: According to the authors, the book is designed to answer many of the questions and concerns of myeloma patients and their significant others; and in doing so, help allay some of their fears and encourage active participation in discussing their illness, treatment, and care management.
Audience: The targeted audience is myeloma patients and their families and friends. However, the book would also be a handy resource for healthcare providers who work with cancer patients but do not need in-depth knowledge of myeloma.
Features: Written in a questions and answer format, the book is divided into seven parts: part one describes myeloma, its complications, and associated disorders; part two discusses diagnosis and staging; part three outlines treatment options; part four provides information on side effects and complications; part five explains stem cell transplantation and complications; part six offers strategies for dealing with a poor prognosis; and part seven provides practical advice for symptom management and other issues of daily living. Also included are an appendix of myeloma information and resources, a glossary of technical terms, and a comprehensive index.
Assessment: This well-indexed, practical little book can be read straight through or used as a reference when problems arise. Based on a physician's professional expertise, along with practical wisdom from a myeloma patient, a broad range of myeloma-related questions and concerns are addressed. The specific content areas are pertinent, easy to comprehend, and covered in sufficient depth to be useful to myeloma patients, their families and friends, and healthcare workers needing only a basic understanding of myeloma. Additional resources are suggested for more in-depth information. The book should enhance the patient and family's confidence in discussing the illness and treatment options and aid in coping with associated challenges.
Rating
4 Stars! from Doody
Table of Contents:
| Preface | vii | |
| Part 1 | The Basics | 1 |
| Questions 1-11 | ||
| What is myeloma? | ||
| What is monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)? | ||
| What is a solitary plasmacytoma? | ||
| Part 2 | Diagnosis and Staging | 13 |
| Questions 12-30 | ||
| How is myeloma diagnosed? | ||
| What is serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP)? | ||
| What is serum protein immunofixation (SIFE)? | ||
| What do the various stages of myeloma mean? | ||
| Part 3 | Treatment Options | 39 |
| Questions 31-55 | ||
| Should all cases of myeloma receive treatment? | ||
| What options are available for the treatment of myeloma? | ||
| What is the usual sequence of treatments for myeloma? | ||
| Part 4 | Side Effects and Complications of Treatment | 71 |
| Questions 56-64 | ||
| What are the main side effects of chemotherapy? | ||
| What precautions are necessary if my white blood cell (WBC) count is low because of chemotherapy? | ||
| My platelet count is low because of chemotherapy. What does that mean? | ||
| Part 5 | Stem Cell Transplantation | 83 |
| Questions 65-78 | ||
| What is a stem cell, and how can it help in treatment of my myeloma? | ||
| Why are stem cell transplants performed for myeloma? | ||
| What is the difference between a bone marrow transplant and a stem cell transplant? | ||
| Part 6 | If Treatment Fails | 101 |
| Questions 79-85 | ||
| How do I decide if active treatment is no longer worthwhile? | ||
| What is comfort care? | ||
| If I stop active anticancer therapy, what other options are available? | ||
| Part 7 | Advocacy and Support | 107 |
| Questions 86-100 | ||
| Does myeloma run in families? Are my relatives at risk? | ||
| Should I receive immunoglobulin therapy? | ||
| Can I have a flu shot? | ||
| Appendix | 123 | |
| Glossary | 127 | |
| Index | 135 |
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