Understanding Lung Cancer: An Introduction for Patients and Caregivers

Cancer of any kind is scary, but lung cancer is unique in that most people think that only people who smoke can or do get it. The truth is that anyone can get lung cancer, and it can be deadly. In 2008 (the most recent year numbers are available), 208,493 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, while 158,592 people in the United States died from lung cancer. Here, Dr. Naheed Ali dispels the notion that only smokers develop lung cancer, but also goes over their increased risk for getting the disease, while also considering the risk factors that non-smokers face. He provides background and tips for combating lung cancer, from prevention, to treatment, to coping with the disease should a person fall victim. In typical fashion, Ali helps readers to understand what lung cancer is, how it develops, its different forms, and how both patients and caregivers can approach healing and treatment. Offering a clear background on the disease and its development, this work will help lung cancer sufferers and their friends and family better cope with and understand the diagnosis.

Table of Contents:
Preface I: GROUNDWORK 1 Introduction to the Lung Cell 2 Lung Cell Health versus Lung Cell Disorder 3 Real Meaning and Anatomy of Lung Cancer 4 History of Lung Cancer II: CLINICAL PICTURE 5 Causes and Risk Factors of Lung Cancer 6 Pathology of Lung Cancer 7 Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnostics 8 Outpatient and Inpatient Experiences III: MANY FACES OF LUNG CANCER 9 Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Bronchioalveolar Carcinomas 10 Undifferentiated Carcinomas and Adenocarcinomas of the Lung 11 Oat Cell Carcinomas and Combined Small Cell Carcinomas 12 Other Manifestations of Lung Cancer IV: RESOLUTIONS 13 Initial Approaches to Lung Cancer 14 Natural and Nonpharmacological Lung Cancer Approaches 15 Pharmacological Lung Cancer Approaches 16 Addressing the Mental Aspects of Lung Cancer V: HOMESTRETCH 17 Lung Cancer at Home 18 Finding Motivation as a Lung Cancer Patient 19 Prevention and Collective Efforts 20 Conclusion Appendix A: Lung Cancer-Related Links Appendix B: Research and Training Appendix C: Lung Cancer-Related Organizations Appendix D: Nationally Recognized Lung Cancer Clinics Appendix E: For Further Reading Notes Glossary Bibliography Index About the Author

About the Author :
Naheed Ali, M.D., is the author of Diabetes and You: A Comprehensive, Holistic Approach (Rowman & Littlefield, 2011), The Obesity Reality (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012), Understanding Alzheimer’s (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012), Arthritis and You (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013), and Understanding Parkinson’s Disease (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). He has appeared as a special guest on numerous talk shows and has been quoted in many national print magazines and TV websites across the US, including Woman’s World, Prevention, Whole Living, MSN.com, USAToday.com, and others.

Review :
Dr. Ali's Understanding Lung Cancer is an incredibly well-organized guidebook possessing an ability to discuss virtually everything there is to know about lung cancer in a single volume. The author emphasizes how lung cancer can affect both patients and caregivers in all walks of life, and his ideas are suggestive of a multipronged approach that’s much needed in light of our rapidly changing health care system. As someone who has lost family members to lung cancer, I have no hesitation in recommending this book. Dr. Ali has taken on a huge and complicated subject, and successfully given an overview that will benefit lay and professional readerships alike. Most of all, he has clearly defined the monstrous nature of this killer - lung cancer - and correctly pointed out that while there are many factors in its development, the single most consistent stimulus is WHAT WE BREATH.  The data for that cause and effect is irrefutable. For those that seek knowledge regarding this cancer, this work is rich in data sources.