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Early Detection and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer
GASTROENTEROLOGY 2010;138:2019 –2021
PRINT AND MEDIA REVIEWS Gary R. Lichtenstein, Section Editor
Early Detection and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer. Karen E. Kim, editor. 272 pp. $99.95. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-55642-837-1. Web site for ordering: www.slackbooks.com. Knowledge and technology in colorectal cancer prevention have advanced at a dazzling pace over the past few years, spawning frequent publications that keep us current. We need to be kept current and we need these publications if we are to continue to reduce the number of new cases and deaths that still occur each year from this preventable cancer. This book, edited and partly written by Karen Kim, succeeds in its goal of updating us in colorectal cancer prevention— but it brings much more to the table. The book is hardcover. It is focused entirely on prevention and is divided into 4 sections in addressing this field: Biology, primary prevention, guidelines for secondary prevention, and public health issues. These sections taken together form a very comprehensive portrait of work in progress of the forward moving field of colorectal cancer prevention. The chapters cover everything you want to know in this area. The chapters are well complemented by many valuable tables and a ton of references—in many chapters, these are overwhelming, and I find myself saying, “OK, these really support almost every statement made. That’s good, but it would be nice to have a handful of key papers highlighted in each chapter that could extend one’s knowledge in a little more depth if so desired.” This is not a criticism specifically of this book; I think we all get carried away by the need to reference every point. Several chapters deserve special commendation. I enjoyed reading the series devoted to genetics, familial risk, and hereditary syndromes by Kupfer and Ellis, by Canale and Burt, and by Xicola and Llor. These were very clear and had great, helpful tables. The guidelines chapter by Jenkins and Kim was particularly well organized with the right balance of evidence, guidelines, commentary, and reference. The inflammatory bowel disease chapter by Singh and Harrell was also superb in that regard. Included were also excellent chapters on environmental factors by Keith and Jackson, and Iffrig and Weinberg’s dissertation on epidemiology. The remainder of the book also had excellent contributions. However, and this is an extremely positive however, the most stunning and innovative section of this book, in my opinion, was the section on public health. This section was stunning, an absolutely brilliant contribution to our knowledge and understanding of the many disparities in colorectal cancer prevention that exist in the United
States. This was presented in great detail, including the problems and issues we face, the studies that have addressed the important area, and a perspective on possible solutions. This book stands apart from most books in the field because of this section. This book is worth getting, reading, and studying for the section on public health alone. The tables and figures are in a boring gray color. There are only a few images and endoscopic photos, mostly also in black and white. This is not a highlight of the book, which is otherwise outstanding. The index is adequate but not extensive. Bottom Line: The audience for this book is wide: All those interested in colorectal cancer prevention— gastroenterologists, surgeons, primary care physicians, and public health professionals. The book achieves its goal of bringing the latest material to all of these groups. It is a comprehensive resource that will update one’s knowledge in the field of colorectal cancer prevention. Even more, it highlights in great detail, and with a superb perspective, the important issues of disparities in the country.
SIDNEY WINAWER Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Gastroenterology and Nutrition Service New York, New York Curbside Consultation in IBD: 49 Clinical Questions. David Rubin, Sonia Friedman, and Frances Farraye, editors. 240 pp. $79.95. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-55642-856-2. Web site for ordering: www. slackbooks.com. Curbside Consultation in IBD edited by Drs David Rubin, Sonia Friedman, and Frances Farraye focuses on common but often difficult problems related to the investigation and management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The format provides up-to-date evidenced-based responses to 49 scenarios by recognized experts in the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) field. Written for both gastrointestinal (GI) specialists and primary care providers, the book is designed to provide succinct second opinions on clinically relevant questions arising in daily practice. The editors have carefully selected a broad range of topics, all of which are highly pertinent to the management of IBD patients. Although the book has no clearly defined sections, the categories addressed broadly include clinical diagnosis, biochemical monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and use and risks of IBD therapies. Examples of questions in the first 3 categories include: “At colonoscopy, the patient had inflammation
PRINT AND MEDIA REVIEWS Gary R. Lichtenstein, Section Editor
Early Detection and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer. Karen E. Kim, editor. 272 pp. $99.95. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-55642-837-1. Web site for ordering: www.slackbooks.com. Knowledge and technology in colorectal cancer prevention have advanced at a dazzling pace over the past few years, spawning frequent publications that keep us current. We need to be kept current and we need these publications if we are to continue to reduce the number of new cases and deaths that still occur each year from this preventable cancer. This book, edited and partly written by Karen Kim, succeeds in its goal of updating us in colorectal cancer prevention— but it brings much more to the table. The book is hardcover. It is focused entirely on prevention and is divided into 4 sections in addressing this field: Biology, primary prevention, guidelines for secondary prevention, and public health issues. These sections taken together form a very comprehensive portrait of work in progress of the forward moving field of colorectal cancer prevention. The chapters cover everything you want to know in this area. The chapters are well complemented by many valuable tables and a ton of references—in many chapters, these are overwhelming, and I find myself saying, “OK, these really support almost every statement made. That’s good, but it would be nice to have a handful of key papers highlighted in each chapter that could extend one’s knowledge in a little more depth if so desired.” This is not a criticism specifically of this book; I think we all get carried away by the need to reference every point. Several chapters deserve special commendation. I enjoyed reading the series devoted to genetics, familial risk, and hereditary syndromes by Kupfer and Ellis, by Canale and Burt, and by Xicola and Llor. These were very clear and had great, helpful tables. The guidelines chapter by Jenkins and Kim was particularly well organized with the right balance of evidence, guidelines, commentary, and reference. The inflammatory bowel disease chapter by Singh and Harrell was also superb in that regard. Included were also excellent chapters on environmental factors by Keith and Jackson, and Iffrig and Weinberg’s dissertation on epidemiology. The remainder of the book also had excellent contributions. However, and this is an extremely positive however, the most stunning and innovative section of this book, in my opinion, was the section on public health. This section was stunning, an absolutely brilliant contribution to our knowledge and understanding of the many disparities in colorectal cancer prevention that exist in the United
States. This was presented in great detail, including the problems and issues we face, the studies that have addressed the important area, and a perspective on possible solutions. This book stands apart from most books in the field because of this section. This book is worth getting, reading, and studying for the section on public health alone. The tables and figures are in a boring gray color. There are only a few images and endoscopic photos, mostly also in black and white. This is not a highlight of the book, which is otherwise outstanding. The index is adequate but not extensive. Bottom Line: The audience for this book is wide: All those interested in colorectal cancer prevention— gastroenterologists, surgeons, primary care physicians, and public health professionals. The book achieves its goal of bringing the latest material to all of these groups. It is a comprehensive resource that will update one’s knowledge in the field of colorectal cancer prevention. Even more, it highlights in great detail, and with a superb perspective, the important issues of disparities in the country.
SIDNEY WINAWER Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Gastroenterology and Nutrition Service New York, New York Curbside Consultation in IBD: 49 Clinical Questions. David Rubin, Sonia Friedman, and Frances Farraye, editors. 240 pp. $79.95. Thorofare, New Jersey, Slack Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-55642-856-2. Web site for ordering: www. slackbooks.com. Curbside Consultation in IBD edited by Drs David Rubin, Sonia Friedman, and Frances Farraye focuses on common but often difficult problems related to the investigation and management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The format provides up-to-date evidenced-based responses to 49 scenarios by recognized experts in the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) field. Written for both gastrointestinal (GI) specialists and primary care providers, the book is designed to provide succinct second opinions on clinically relevant questions arising in daily practice. The editors have carefully selected a broad range of topics, all of which are highly pertinent to the management of IBD patients. Although the book has no clearly defined sections, the categories addressed broadly include clinical diagnosis, biochemical monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and use and risks of IBD therapies. Examples of questions in the first 3 categories include: “At colonoscopy, the patient had inflammation