Read All About It!

Maybe the hotline answered your most immediate questions, but you need more de-
tails than chitchat can deliver. Now it’s time to hit the books. Before you think you
can’t go back to those school-day study binges, cheer up. You’ve started in the right
place with this book. We’ll give you a clear, accurate overview of what breast cancer i
all about, help you get a handle on possible treatments and what to expect of each,
and help you prepare for what comes after—after the surgery, after the chemo, after
the radiation. And we’ll do it in what we think—and hope you do, too—is a light,
readable style.
But we’re not medical people. So maybe you want more medical details, or maybe
you just want another point of view. There’s no shortage of information. In fact,
you’ll find more printed pages than you can read in a couple of years (and mean-
while more will hit the bookshelves), so how do you sort through all the volumes
to find what you need?
Stacks and Stacks at the Library
Your doctor or clinic may offer a reading list. Or use Appendix B, “Further Readings,”
for a recommended reading list. Armed with your list, hit the local library. Check the
computer or card catalog and search for the recommended titles. When you locate a
book on the shelf, browse through nearby titles. You may find another treasure. And
never forget to ask the librarian for help. Librarians are absolutely remarkable folks
who have an amazing range of knowledge. Tap into it.
Keep in mind, however, that just because you read a “fact” in a book, doesn’t make it
true. Here are the problems:
➤ On any date, out of date? The library keeps books for years. Since information
about breast cancer and its treatment changes daily, make sure what you’re read-
ing has a recent copyright date. (You’ll find that date in the front pages.) If the
book is more than two years old, leave it.
➤ Authoritative author? While no reputable publisher will knowingly publish in-
accurate information, the author’s background may better tell you what to ex-
pect. If you want a technically serious medical book, choose an author who is
an oncology doctor or surgeon.
➤ Topic or topical? Rather than choosing books about cancer in general or some
cancer treatment in general, go for those that deal with breast cancer specifically
or that at least have substantive sections devoted to breast cancer. Otherwise,
you’re likely to waste hours of time.