Breast Cancer

June 20, 2011
The author and founder of Cancer Recovery International, a global affiliation of national charities, is also a lung cancer survivor who 27 years ago was told he had 30 days to live. Not only did Anderson survive but his organization went on to study cancer in depth, between 1986 and 2008 interviewing and surveying 16,000 cancer survivors. His holistic approach to cancer recovery is based on six essential strategies: medical treatment, nutrition, attitude, support, exercise, and spirituality. Anderson contends that while conventional treatment should be embraced, women can take other steps that are at least as important. His goal is to help breast cancer victims develop and implement an individual recovery plan, becoming active participants not just in treating illness but also in creating health. Readers may find some of Anderson's advice disturbing, i.e., his recommendation to forgo annual mammograms unless a lump is found and opt instead for yearly clinical exams and regular self-exams. Other observations are eye-opening and potentially lifesaving; He hails the preventive and curative effects of Vitamin D supplements (noting that its power has been largely ignored by the government and health-care industry) as well as the breast health benefits of low-dose aspirin. This is an important and hopeful vision of breast cancer that views treating the tumor as only one element in a comprehensive action plan to balance and heal body, mind, and spirit.

July 1, 2011

Who wouldn't want to think that a regimen of self-awareness, healthful eating, exercise, and positive thinking can vanquish cancer? Anderson (founder/CEO, Cancer Recovery Fdn. International; The Cancer Conqueror) primarily addresses women feeling disempowered and hopeless following a breast cancer diagnosis. Having survived his own pessimistic prognosis more than 25 years ago, Anderson promotes his "integrated approach" to creating health over the accepted "tumor model," which focuses on the disease and not the whole person. He claims the modalities of healthful nutrition and exercise circumvent the side effects associated with traditional treatments and concurrent clinical trials. Though acknowledging that "surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can [emphasis this reviewer's] play an important role in cancer treatment," Anderson generally disparages the medical field for its overtreatment of disease and concern for the mighty dollar--"It all comes down to the money." VERDICT Complementary remedies can be major factors in health care, whether one is confronting a diagnosis or fending off future illness. Unfortunately, Anderson's bitterness comes through as he basically discounts standard medical practice in favor of his program. Cautiously recommended for inclusive health-care collections or those that stress complementary techniques over traditional therapies.--Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2011
The book's title may lead one to believe that Anderson, CEO and founder of Cancer Recovery Foundation International, offers counsel relevant only to people diagnosed with breast cancer. On the contrary, he presents solid, user-friendly information, advice, and tips that may benefit any patient facing serious illness. Of course, there is ample information about breast cancer, its various manifestations, types, stages, and treatments. This is invaluable because the first thing one needs after diagnosis with breast cancer is the understanding of the disease that informationincluding the answers to questions one forgot to ask in the doctor's officecommunicated in clear, nonclinical language confers. The second thing needed is the restoration of feeling in control of one's life again. This is where Anderson's approach becomes universal. His 50 bullet-points are concrete steps that can dispel the feeling of walking on shifting sands major illness can evoke. None of his wisdom is revolutionary or groundbreaking, but it is all doable, especially after fate has thrown one a curve.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)