About the Book
A Simplified and Sometimes Sassy Guide to Breast Cancer: Like if Your Best Friend was a Breast Surgeon takes the complexities of modern healthcare decisions and makes them not only understandable but entertaining.
"You have breast cancer." A sentence that no one ever wants to hear - and yet - here you are scouring the internet for answers. Few cancer diagnoses present as many patient-led decisions as breast cancer: mastectomy or lumpectomy? What about bilateral mastectomy? Genetic testing? Reconstruction? What type of reconstruction? This beautifully illustrated guide provides a crash course in all things breast cancer- it's like you called your best friend and she just so happens to be a breast surgeon. It's a simplified and sassy synopsis of all things breast cancer so that you know what to expect and what questions to ask. You have some decisions to make girlfriend, and as the old adage goes "knowledge is power." So, pour a glass of your favorite beverage and find a comfy spot - we are about to unpack the most up to date breast cancer treatment strategies for YOU!
In chapters with titles like "The A-Team: The Who's Who of your Fabulous Team," "Radiology: I've Never Taken So Many Pictures of My Boobs!" and "Radiation: A Day at the Beach" you will master the fundamentals of breast cancer biology and treatment. The anxiety of the unknown will be replaced with empowerment and knowledge.
For you especially curious cats, "Science Simplified" sections delve into the science behind your pathology reports, breast imaging, chemotherapy drugs, and radiation treatments. "Sassy Stories," in each chapter give a broader context of the history of breast cancer treatments: where we started, where we are now, and maybe even where we are heading.
"Frequently Asked Questions" sections highlight just that, while "The Big Day" at the end of each treatment chapter provides a run-down of just what to expect of your first day of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. I also provide "Let's Review" pages to highlight the most important points in case you are feeling overwhelmed with all the information!
Along the way "Expert Extras" give you deeper-dives into surgical options, breast reconstruction, radiation oncology, and more! You will also find insights from Survivors Sisters who have walked in your shoes and a special contribution, "Surviving Breast Cancer," by the Sassy Survivor(TM) herself.
A Simplified and Sometimes Sassy Guide to Breast Cancer is a must read for any newly diagnosed woman. This book really is like calling up your best friend for advice, only this time you have cancer, and your friend is a cancer specialist.
About the Author :
was introduced to breast cancer at a very young age. My grandmother was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer at age fifty while living in Alaska. In order to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and enroll in clinical trials, she lived with my family in Southern California. My clearest memories of my grandma mee-mee were of her wearing headscarves and face masks. My father was in the Navy, and I grew up moving around the United States, gifted with the experience of meeting people from all walks of life. My mother was an elementary school teacher, and I spent hours tutoring and learning the value of thoughtful and clear communication. I went on to graduate college with degrees in Biochemistry and English with honors. My English honors thesis focused on the metaphors that breast cancer survivors used in their memoirs to understand and cope with their cancer diagnosis, their treatments, and the side effects. In preparation, I read every breast cancer memoir that I could find. I then completed medical school, general surgery residency, two years in a basic science research laboratory, and breast surgery fellowship with the goal of focusing on the treatment of women with breast cancer. My mother still talks about how wonderful my grandmother's doctors were. I grew up listening to just how important the relationship is between a woman and her doctor; and how, sometimes, that makes all the difference. I will always aim to be the little ray of sunshine in an otherwise stormy journey through breast cancer. Alan Berch Hollingsworth, MD was Oklahoma's first breast-dedicated surgeon, now retiredfrom active practice, but still involved in breast MRI screening studies, as well as blood testresearch with biotech companies. Dr. Hollingsworth was the founding medical director of oneof the first multidisciplinary breast centers in the country, located at the University ofOklahoma where he also held the G. Rainey Williams Chair in Surgical Breast Oncology. In 1999, he was appointed as medical director of the Mercy Breast Center in Oklahoma City where heserved for over 20 years, also developing a unique private practice focused entirely on the long-term management of high-risk patients. As an author, he was recognized in the medical worldfor his books and original publications, prompting an invitation to serve as Editor and leadauthor for the first national think tank on breast cancer risk assessment, sponsored by Komen.He also served on the Editorial Board of The Breast Journal for many years. His writing effortswere not contained by medicine, however, and his breakthrough novel was the best-seller, Flatbellies, a coming-of-age story published by W.W. Norton (New York, London) in 2001.Various writing awards and recognition continued with his second novel, University Boulevard, as well as the true crime story of his grandfather's 1923 murder - Killing Albert Berch. For atrilogy called the Brainbow Chronicles, currently in progress, he uses the pseudonym, JohnAlbedo (www.johnalbedo.com). The first installment - Nutshell - was released in May 2021, with the second book - Cannibal Club - scheduled for release in 2022, and the final volume -Heavenly Blues - in 2023.
Review :
"A must read for newly diagnosed women with breast cancer." Dr. Alan Hollingsworth
"I received this from a friend. All I can say is, "Wow!" I had a bilateral mastectomy in January of 2021. I wish I had this resource as I navigated the world of a newly diagnosed woman. I honestly feel this resource should be given to all women upon diagnosis. I appreciated the candor, humor, and honesty of Dr. Mathias. While reading, it really felt like a close friend giving me the inside scoop about breast cancer. If you have been recently diagnosed or a friend has been recently diagnosed, this is the book for you."
"This book is a step by step guide to what to expect when you hear the words "you have breast cancer". In an overwhelming time and your mind going in every direction this book makes hard to understand information easier to understand. Would definitely recommend reading if you or anyone you are close with is going through this."
: "The book is a welcome tool for those who receive a diagnoses of cancer and the people in their support team. It's so easy to understand, so helpful with decision making, and honestly is a companion on a journey you never thought you'd experience."
