Product Description

Dr. Lange’s comprehensive overview of cancer and treatment options offers detailed information using simple, concise language and a wide variety of color photos and drawings. Colorectal cancer patients need to know more about their disease, yet there is an overload of information. Be a Survivor gives the patient the specific, reliable and necessary information to make good decisions about their cancer and treatment options. Annually, 150,000 Americans are told they have colorectal cancer, making it one of the top three most common cancers in the United States. Diagnosed early, colorectal cancer is treatable, often curable, and vey preventable. This resource covers all aspects of colorectal cancer—from diagnosis to recovery, including a chapter for the patient's spouse.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #691087 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 127 pages

About the Author
Vladimir Lange, MD, has 30 years of clinical and multimedia experience with his Be a Survivor book series. A Harvard Medical School graduate, he is considered an authority on cancer patient support, and his respected Lange Productions books and videos are utilized worldwide.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Facing Colorectal Cancer When your physician told you that you had colon cancer, you were probably flooded with a host of emotions: fear, anger, confusion. You may have felt crushed’or in complete denial. You probably didn’t remember anything your physician told you, and have no idea how to begin dealing with your situation. First of all, realize that a diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence. A lot of progress has been made in the field, and survival rates today are higher than ever before. Right now your first task is to make a decision that you will do everything you can to be successful in your battle against the cancer. Your positive attitude will be your best ally throughout your treatment and recovery. So, where to begin’ Here are the initial steps you need to take to get control of the situation: ‘ Acknowledge your feelings, realize that they are normal, but don’t let them affect your judgement. ‘ Assemble a network of healthcare professionals, friends and peers to help you deal with the situation. ‘ Learn all you can about the disease and the different treatment options. ‘ Most importantly, become an active participant in your treatment. Understanding Your Feelings The first few weeks after your diagnosis may be the hardest to handle. You may spend hours dwelling on questions such as ‘Why me’’ or ‘Will the cancer kill me’’ Or you might find yourself feeling ‘blue’ and depressed to the point of not caring about the outcome of your disease. You might snap in anger at friends or loved ones. This confusing roller coaster is natural. Don’t be too hard on yourself if your emotions slip out of your control every once in a while. You don’t need to be in perfect balance all the time. The best approach is to find someone you can talk to about what you are experiencing. This should be a mature, welladjusted person who can listen without passing judgment. Very close friends or family members may not be the best choice, because they can be too involved in the situation to remain objective. Ask your doctor, nurse, or social worker for referral for professional counseling or to a local support group of cancer survivors who meet regularly to offer mutual support. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers can be very helpful with problems such as depression, panic attacks, feelings of isolation, and other issues that concern you.

Customer Reviews

A Terrific Guide
Finding this book was such a relief! It is difficult to find quality reading material that deals with this subject, especially in such a comforting, and easy-to-understand format. As a cancer survivor, and somebody who has been through many of the things described in this book, I would highly recommend it to everyone diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer. This book will walk you through the ordeal beginning at day one.

Found this book in a chemo room. Wanted one of my own.
2 1/2 yrs after an advanced colon cancer diagnosis, I'm still under chemo treatment and doing excellently.:) I've learned a ton! I recently found this book in the "chemo room." It seems to be "talkin' my language." I plan to buy one for myself and for others that I find myself encouraging along the way.

Advance look at Colorectal Cancer Survival Guide
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on Dr. Lange's newest book
analzing Colorectal Cancer. I wanted to get it for a dear friend whose sister is battling the disease as we speak. Not only did I read the book for a greater understanding of the medical condition, I gave it to my friend in hopes it would help his sister.

One of the important points he, my friend, was able to glean from the book, is his role in helping her navigate the disease.
Her fear of the unknown, as well as the dire prognosis she has been given, has rendered her a single mother, unable to cope with her three children and her demanding life. This book faces the problem head on, with practical approaches for her family, as caregivers.

Lastly, the stories of recovery, and life after the disease, have have changed my friend's sister's outlook on her chances of surviving this dreaded cancer. that, in and of itself, makes the book a "must read" for those battling the colorectal cancer, as well as those helping the patient navigate the process.


Janet Jones