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A Cancer in the Family
Cancer and Society
Books A Cancer in the Family In A Cancer in the Family, Theodora Ross writes credibly about inherited genetic disorders in a way that crosses the genres of a reference-style self-help book and a biography. Aimed at those who are concerned about their genetic risk of cancer, Ross’s professional advice as a researcher and clinician, in addition to her diagnosis of a BRCA1 mutation, gives a well-rounded perspective. The book maintains a human interest narrative throughout with Ross sharing private moments such as how she reacted to the news of her mutation and how and why she made specific decisions, including the choice to have prophylactic mastectomies and oophorectomies. Ross provides interesting insights into advancements in the field by comparing when she was first diagnosed with a mutation in 1999 with today’s options, such as personalised treatments and
preventative detection in those who seek medical advice early. Ross thoroughly discusses the moral issues of cancer, such as the choice to get genetic testing and sharing the resultant information with family members. Indeed, the book even delves into the psychology of family structures and personality traits to enable the reader to effectively gain and disseminate health-care information to family members at risk. With particular tenacity, less common issues are covered such as ways to discover information if you are adopted or the possibility of secret ethnic histories (such as those hiding Jewish ancestry as a result of antisemitic wars). Anonymised anecdotes of Ross’s patients successfully illustrate real-life examples of how some have dealt with their situations and act as learning points for those in similar circumstances.
The style of writing is easy to follow, with a logical, chronological flow from genetic testing to treatment options. Practical advice is often helpful, such as how to draw a family pedigree to identify inherited patterns of cancers. Comprehensive appendices also further detail about various cancers. Nevertheless, the book’s advice occasionally specialises in American health care, limiting the generalisability to non-American readers. Overall, Ross excels at balancing her personal and professional views, and at providing useful advice. The pivotal focus of the book is on self-sought knowledge, which is befitting because this book provides a breadth and depth of detail whilst also equipping the reader with the means to ascertain more specific information for their family.
A Cancer in the Family: Take Control of Your Genetic Inheritance Theodora Ross Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC 2016, pp 286
Emilia Harding
Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t is a fascinating look at the world of animal oncology. Author James Welsh discusses examples such as Tasmanian devils passing the contagious facial tumour disease from animal to animal, leading to their endangered status; dogs who have a sexually transmitted form of cancer, but overcome it without medical assistance; and clams with disseminated neoplasia, akin to leukaemia. Welsh uses these illustrations and many other species of animal to question the way that we view and treat people who have cancer. Far from the dry textbook that this could have been, Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t is both entertaining and informative, and travels from dinosaurs to pet dogs in a compelling delight of oncology, biology, physics, and history. www.thelancet.com/oncology Vol 17 October 2016
Welsh’s years of personal experience working with patients as a radiation oncologist is clear from the outset of his book. One might expect a medical professional to shy away from emotive language. Welsh, however, turns to it. Yes, cancer is treated as a scientific curiosity, opaque and worthy of study, but it is also of direct, emotional, and physical impact in the lives of real people. The personal impact that cancer has on the lives of Welsh’s patients is echoed in the effect that the success or failure of a patient’s treatment has on Welsh himself. Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t is imbued with a deeply felt passion for the importance of his subject that cannot help but pull the reader along for the ride. The intended audience of this book is at times unclear: is it for the
layman or for the oncologist? Welsh isn’t reluctant to use technical terms, Latin names, or complex scientific concepts. However, terminology— even terminology as simple as squamous cell cancers—is defined on its first usage for the reader. Though this practice is incredibly useful for the interested layman and therefore widens the book’s potential audience, it might prove frustrating at times for oncology experts. Welsh’s writing is clear, concise, and informative. His whirlwind tour of scientific history is an entertaining one, and will leave readers with hope for the future of cancer research, and with a new perspective on the lives of the animals around us.
Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t James S Welsh Prometheus Books, 2016, pp 406
Victoria Denny 1359
Books A Cancer in the Family In A Cancer in the Family, Theodora Ross writes credibly about inherited genetic disorders in a way that crosses the genres of a reference-style self-help book and a biography. Aimed at those who are concerned about their genetic risk of cancer, Ross’s professional advice as a researcher and clinician, in addition to her diagnosis of a BRCA1 mutation, gives a well-rounded perspective. The book maintains a human interest narrative throughout with Ross sharing private moments such as how she reacted to the news of her mutation and how and why she made specific decisions, including the choice to have prophylactic mastectomies and oophorectomies. Ross provides interesting insights into advancements in the field by comparing when she was first diagnosed with a mutation in 1999 with today’s options, such as personalised treatments and
preventative detection in those who seek medical advice early. Ross thoroughly discusses the moral issues of cancer, such as the choice to get genetic testing and sharing the resultant information with family members. Indeed, the book even delves into the psychology of family structures and personality traits to enable the reader to effectively gain and disseminate health-care information to family members at risk. With particular tenacity, less common issues are covered such as ways to discover information if you are adopted or the possibility of secret ethnic histories (such as those hiding Jewish ancestry as a result of antisemitic wars). Anonymised anecdotes of Ross’s patients successfully illustrate real-life examples of how some have dealt with their situations and act as learning points for those in similar circumstances.
The style of writing is easy to follow, with a logical, chronological flow from genetic testing to treatment options. Practical advice is often helpful, such as how to draw a family pedigree to identify inherited patterns of cancers. Comprehensive appendices also further detail about various cancers. Nevertheless, the book’s advice occasionally specialises in American health care, limiting the generalisability to non-American readers. Overall, Ross excels at balancing her personal and professional views, and at providing useful advice. The pivotal focus of the book is on self-sought knowledge, which is befitting because this book provides a breadth and depth of detail whilst also equipping the reader with the means to ascertain more specific information for their family.
A Cancer in the Family: Take Control of Your Genetic Inheritance Theodora Ross Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC 2016, pp 286
Emilia Harding
Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t is a fascinating look at the world of animal oncology. Author James Welsh discusses examples such as Tasmanian devils passing the contagious facial tumour disease from animal to animal, leading to their endangered status; dogs who have a sexually transmitted form of cancer, but overcome it without medical assistance; and clams with disseminated neoplasia, akin to leukaemia. Welsh uses these illustrations and many other species of animal to question the way that we view and treat people who have cancer. Far from the dry textbook that this could have been, Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t is both entertaining and informative, and travels from dinosaurs to pet dogs in a compelling delight of oncology, biology, physics, and history. www.thelancet.com/oncology Vol 17 October 2016
Welsh’s years of personal experience working with patients as a radiation oncologist is clear from the outset of his book. One might expect a medical professional to shy away from emotive language. Welsh, however, turns to it. Yes, cancer is treated as a scientific curiosity, opaque and worthy of study, but it is also of direct, emotional, and physical impact in the lives of real people. The personal impact that cancer has on the lives of Welsh’s patients is echoed in the effect that the success or failure of a patient’s treatment has on Welsh himself. Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t is imbued with a deeply felt passion for the importance of his subject that cannot help but pull the reader along for the ride. The intended audience of this book is at times unclear: is it for the
layman or for the oncologist? Welsh isn’t reluctant to use technical terms, Latin names, or complex scientific concepts. However, terminology— even terminology as simple as squamous cell cancers—is defined on its first usage for the reader. Though this practice is incredibly useful for the interested layman and therefore widens the book’s potential audience, it might prove frustrating at times for oncology experts. Welsh’s writing is clear, concise, and informative. His whirlwind tour of scientific history is an entertaining one, and will leave readers with hope for the future of cancer research, and with a new perspective on the lives of the animals around us.
Sharks Get Cancer, Mole Rats Don’t James S Welsh Prometheus Books, 2016, pp 406
Victoria Denny 1359