Product Description

"Here we have a truly remarkable book. Unlike anything in the alternative literature, Choices in Healing gives a scrupulously nonjudgemental review of the world of alternative treatments for cancer. Michael Lerner is a talented, scientifically astute and well-educated individual.... His compilation of both orthodox and alternative approaches to cancer is superb.... This is essential reading." -- Karol Sikora, New Scientist "A bridge that many skeptics can at least approach. The text is both critical and hopeful toward both conventional and complementary methods of therapy. Physicans will certainly find this book, with its in-depth index and extensive appendixed resource guide, the best single available source if they are willing to explore this area." -- John M. Merrill, M.D., Journal of the American Medical Association

Written by one of the country's leading authorities on alternative and complementary cancer treatments, Choices in Healing is designed for the cancer patient or health professional who seeks a comprehensive overview of the available choices, both in treatments and in living with cancer. Choices in Healing offers valuable information and guidance for the whole life cycle of cancer -- from the initial shock of diagnosis to decisions about choosing a physician and conventional therapies, selecting complementary therapies, coping with treatment, and the art of living fully with the possibility of recurrence. There are detailed explanations and evaluations of a wide range of complementary therapy programs, including spiritual and psychological approaches, nutritional therapies, physical therapies, pharmacological therapies, and traditional medicines from around the world. There are sections on prayer and other forms of spiritual healing; psychotherapy, support groups, visual imagery and hypnosis; massage, therapeutic touch, yoga, and Qi Gong; macrobiotic diet and other cancer diets; acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines; and numerous other unconventional therapies used by American cancer patients. With an unusual combination of compassion and objectivity, Michael Lerner describes his conclusions following more than a decade of study of unconventional cancer treatments in North America, Europe, India, and Japan. He also draws extensively on his work with hundreds of cancer patients who have participated in the Commonweal Cancer Help Programs, the residential support program depicted by Bill Moyers in his 1993 PBS documentary "Healing and the Mind."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #215780 in Books
• Published on: 1996-02-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 696 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In this well-researched and thought-provoking look at cancer and its treatment, Lerner argues that several alternative options hold promise and should be further explored. The author, a MacArthur Prize Fellowship recipient who has served as a special consultant to the U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment for a study of alternative therapies, notes that the reasons why such alternatives are sometimes not taken seriously are as often the fault of their practitioners as of the establishment bureaucrats who categorically consider them quackery. He evaluates complementary programs--spiritual, psychological, nutritional, pharmaceutical--and also describes unconventional approaches in Japan, Germany, India, Great Britain and Canada. Make no mistake: Lerner does not advise forsaking conventional for alternative treatment. In fact, he believes that people with cancer should be under the care of an oncologist. This is a must read for people facing decisions in their cancer treatment and for anyone who cares for them.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Alternative cancer therapies tend to be more controversial than other forms of alternative medicine. Many physicians feel that by using such therapies patients may avoid or delay treatments that have been proven effective. However, both these books offer a balanced treatment of the topic. Choices in Healing is a compassionate guide that discusses the science and politics of cancer therapy and describes alternative therapies as well as the spiritual aspects of coping with the disease. Lerner, an expert on alternative and complementary cancer treatments, pulls together research on alternative approaches and provides numerous references so that patients can make their own choices. Even those who choose only mainstream therapies will appreciate this book because of its helpful tone. Patrons looking for brief descriptions of immune enhancement therapies will find them in Alternatives in Cancer Therapy. There is some bias here-Pelton, a pharmacist with a Ph.D. in psychology and holistic health, is the operator of the largest holistic health hospital in the world offering alternative therapy for cancer-but on the whole the book indicates whether treatment effectiveness is based only on anecdotal evidence. There are numerous references plus a good resource section for patrons interested in further information. Both books are recommended for public libraries. Keep Pelton's in reference and let Lerner's circulate.
Natalie Kupferberg, Montana State Univ. Lib., Bozeman
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"There is no one right treatment for cancer. And, unfortunately, there is no one magical alternative out there. First, I'd determine just what sort of help is needed. Michael Lerner has written an excellent book on integrating alternative and conventional treatments, called Choices in Healing (MIT Press, 1996). As Lerner recommends, it's important to consider three factors: the plausibility of the therapy itself, the character of the practitioner, and the quality of service at the center. I would ask you to also consider the expense and practicality of going to a center. An appendix in the back describes specific therapies and discusses their better-known practitioners." -- Andrew Weil, M.D. author of Natural Health, Natural Medicine, Spontaneous Healing and other books, writing in his web-based column "Ask Dr Weil."

"A bridge that many skeptics can at least approach. The text is both critical and hopeful toward both conventional and complementary methods of therapy. Physicans will certainly find this book, with its in-depth index and extensive appendixed resource guide, the best single available source if they are willing to explore this area."
—John M. Merrill, M.D., Journal of the American Medical Association

"Here we have a truly remarkable book. Unlike anything in the alternative literature, Choices in Healing gives a scrupulously nonjudgemental review of the world of alternative treatments for cancer. Michael Lerner is a talented, scientifically astute and well-educated individual.... His compilation of both orthodox and alternative approaches to cancer is superb.... This is essential reading."
—Karol Sikora, New Scientist

"I urge anyone dealing with cancer to read Michael Lerner's excellent book."—Andrew Weil, M.D., author of Spontaneous Healingand Natural Health, Natural Medicine, and many other books.

Customer Reviews

Scepticism and optimism combined
First a word about me: I'm one of those cancer patients who doctors either love or hate. I read up on everything, and I am openminded about the benefits and risks of both conventional and alternative cancer therapies. I question everything and want to understand where the limits of our current understanding lie. I want references!

If you are anything like me, you'll appreciate the exceptionally fine balance that Michael Lerner draws. He honestly investigates the extent to which various cancer therapies work, mostly by reviewing "serious" research which examines cancer treatment from different angles. In areas where scientific studies contradict each other, he doesn't draw unfounded conclusions. He manages to give specific guidelines for dealing with cancer without advocating any one therapy too much.

Of the many books I've read on cancer, this is the one I appreciate the most. The tone of the book is honest, warm and caring; personal without being sentimental. And best of all, it inspires hope.

The one caveat I have is that I'd love to see a revised edition with all the newest research reviewed! If you're considering a purchase, do a websearch for "Lerner" and "Choices in Healing", this should provide you with a reference to an online version of the whole book. Once you're convinced, buy the book!

Deep, excellent.
Now in paperback, this is the book to send your friends with cancer. Its wide-ranging, patiently and caringly written, scholarly but accessible, and chocked with interesting references and good insights. Michael Lerner has taken it upon himself to do a thorough 'work-up' on the best of that heterogeneous lot of hearsay cures and popular supplemental treatments that cancer patients will start hearing about from friends, relatives and distant acquaintaces practically as soon as they are diagnosed. Choices in Healing gives one a way to start sorting it out.

Lerner strives for, and I feel achieves, an excellent balance between optimism and skepticism as he covers (a) the different "cultures" of conventional treatment - aggressive, gentle, U.S., European, Japanese, (b) spiritual approaches, (c) nutritional approaches, (d) physical and energetic approaches, (e) non-conventional herbal and pharmacological approaches. Stanislaw Burzynski, Virginia Livingston, Joseph Gold and Emanuel Revici, are some of the famous off-range cure inventors that he dignifies with his patient research.

I also found his chapters on the spiritual and psychological dimensions of the cancer journey especially strong. He takes the reader up to death's door. And beyond. The chapter on pain is a revelation.

Highly recommended for anyone.

THE Book on Alternatives in Cancer Treatment
Until something better is written, this is THE book on the subject. Those who have reviewed this book before me have said it all, but I would add that Lerner is a writer of exceptional talent. At times reading this book is liking reading poetry or great inspirational prose and it is often quite moving.