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EXCELLENT RESOURCE. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: “When Cancer Hits Home” is an excellent resource for those touched by cancer. Few things are as frightening when you, or someone you love, are diagnosed with cancer and there is often a period of uncertainty while scope and treatment options are determined. There are many sources for information relating to all types of cancer, but I can say from personal experience that there is a lot of information that can be easily misinterpreted or is just plain outdated or incorrect, and that is where a book like this one is very helpful.
I like that this book is written without a lot of confusing medical jargon, except where absolutely required, and is generally easy understand. There are two main sections, the first is “Reduce Your Cancer Risk” which provides excellent advice on environmental causes, nutrition, and early detection testing. The second section is “Cancer Treatment For The 20 Most Common Types”, and covers Bladder, Brain, Breast, Colorectal, Esophageal, Head and Neck, Kidney, Leukemia, Liver, Lung, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Melanoma, Myeloma, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Prostrate, Skin (nonmelanoma), Stomach, Thyroid, and Uterine. This not an in-depth dive into every type of cancer, but rather a collection of case studies and discusses the statistics, Risks and Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Staging, and Treatment. The cases studies share an individual person’s experience with that particular cancer, from symptom onset through treatment, some with happy outcomes and others who lose the battle. The other sections give a good overview to understand the effects of the cancer and will be useful in discussing treatment with your doctors.
My family has been blessed in that while we have dealt with a lot of cancer over the past ten years, including Breast (mother), Skin (sister), Colorectal (brother-in-law and nephew), Prostrate (step-father), and Myeloma (me), we have all survived it and have a good prognosis for the future. The sections of the book that cover the cancers we have personally experienced are pretty much right on and it would have been beneficial to have this book from the beginning. - C F Hill
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: “This book is an excellent resource for both medical and non medical persons. It provides a wealth of accurate information on cancer types and prevention. It also explains in a very clear manner the staging and treatment processes for most types of cancers. Having worked in oncology for many years,I feel encouraged by the many great strides that have been made in the fight against this disease. But I also realize that there is still so much to do. Dr. Maguire has shared many of his personal stories with this disease in the book which include both patient as well as close family member experiences. These experiences emphasis that joy of success but also the very great need to do better.I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a clear, accurate and personal discussion of cancer.” – Nancy
EXCELLENT RESOURCE: “This book is an excellent resource for those who have been diagnosed with cancer and also for the loved ones of those who are fighting their disease. Easy to read and straight to the heart…you will feel better after reading the words so compassionately written in this very personal, wonderful book.” - Elizabeth Korzelius
A MUST FOR CANCER PATIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES: “I just finished the book and it is great! My husband was diagnosed with AML 2 years ago and there have been lots of “stormy seas” to navaigate. This book offered so much insight to the cancer field and reading about Dr Maguire’s personal experience was beautifully written. Thank you for your effort to provide this as a resource to your patients and family members.” - Jenel
SUPERB RESOURCE: “This is an excellent book for anyone that has been impacted by cancer. Whether you are fighting the disease personally or have a loved one you are helping to support, I urge you to read and share this book. Dr. Maguire’s intelligence, compassion, and dedication to his field are evident on the pages of his book. A MUST READ!!!” – Aimee Haydinger
KNOWLEDGE AS A WEAPON: “I received this book as a Christmas gift, but I’m not sure that the person who gave it to me knew that my entire family tree grew the fruit of cancer on every branch. This book is perfect for anyone who is scared of getting cancer or is dealing with family members or friends who have a cancer. Dr. Maguire opens the book with his own very personal story of his family being decimated by cancer in a short period of time. It’s a powerful thing to read. He then gives invaluable advice for cancer risk reduction including nutrition and lifestyle changes. I found this section to be easy to understand and quite motivating. I especially liked reading the patient stories and the following explanations of treatment options for that particular form of cancer. I read one or two of these stories a night in random order and felt like I learned a lot about the many facets of treatment and options available. Again, it was very easy to read and understand. The most important part of this book to me was the detailed descriptions of what signs and symptoms to watch for and what to do if you suspect you might have cancer. And it’s all written in a way that isn’t scary or negative. We all know someone who has cancer or has lost someone to cancer. This “manual for cancer prevention and treatment” should be on everybody’s nightstand because the more knowledgeable we are about this disease, the better we are at surviving it.” - Southern Deb
TAKE THE BALL BY THE HORNS: “Dr Patrick Maguire has written a superb book about cancer, his chapter ‘Take The Ball By The Horns’ is particularly significant. In reducing your risks of cancer, you need to take an aggressive role in prevention. You can learn all about cancer, what you can do to reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cancer, and how to help that someone, if it is not you, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Get all the information you can, be well read and face the situation head on, filled with some control. Dr Maguire says ‘Take The Ball By The Horns’, and that is not a misprint, is a big part of learning about and dealing with cancer.
When you are diagnosed with cancer, the loss of control that most of us feel can be overwhelming. Many of us look to our physicians to tell us the best path. However, if those decisions can be made together, you, your family and the physician with the best knowledge and outcomes before you, some of that control is back. I was fortunate to have my cancer diagnosed in a facility that has a Cancer Center. I would recommend that for everyone. Everything you might need is in the same center. I was also part of a Decision Making Center with my surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. You are putting your trust and your life at times in the hands of the medical oncologist who will be the leader of your team. You will meet with the oncologist at least twice a month and maybe more often for a year or more. You want someone who you like and trust. I knew from the first page that Dr Maguire is the kind of oncologist I would want. He is very forthright, a great sense of humor, knowledgeable and speaks in patient language. A person remembers 40% of what physicians tell them in the office. Once you hear cancer, you may not hear another word. I believe the best informed people may have the best course of treatment. They know what to expect and this book can be very helpful for them and their family.
Patrick Maguire gives us a cancer history in his family, which gives us the title of the book, ‘When Cancer Hits Home’. It is one thing to be an oncologist and another to have cancer in your family- cancer tends to even the playing field. Dr Maguire has written this book in 3 parts.
The first part is how to reduce your cancer risk. 90% of people with cancer are the first one in their family. It is important to know your risks and how to reduce them. Make decisions wisely, avoid tobacco, try to avoid viruses that can cause cancer and be careful in the sun. Try to have a healthy menu, exercise frequently, and see your physician for preventive medicine.
Part Two discusses the treatment options for the 20 most common cancers. Dr Maguire provides a case history for each type of cancer, the risks and causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, staging of the cancer, treatment and the personal outcome for the person with that particular cancer. This is so well done, by giving us a real person’s story, it is easier to comprehend all the issues. Dr Maguire has written in language that is easily understood. Some of the people did well and some did not. He talks about the decision making process, and the discussions of treatment and the final outcome.
Part Three covers all of the references and resources that Dr Maguire used in writing this book. Chapter by chapter resources, which is very helpful, if you wanted to look up a particular reference for more information.
One of the most important aspects of cancer care is the support of family and friends. Dr Maguire does not specifically state this, but it is inferred. If you do not have someone to talk with, to share your fears and your good news, there are professional people waiting to help you. Every cancer center has a myriad of people, and their services should be offered with every visit. If you do have cancer, your family will be a great source of support, but they will also need a support network. Cancer is not a disease to fight alone.
I would recommend this book as a resource for every physician’s office or waiting room. Every household would do well to have this resource. We all know someone with cancer, within our family or not. It is important to be well informed. I remember someone asking me what I did wrong to ‘get’ my cancer. No one wants to be so misinformed, but we need to realize there are people who know very little,and we need to expect some foolish questions or suggestions. When we are well informed we carry that knowledge to every part of our lives. “ - Prisrob
FAMILY MEMBERS GUIDE TO CANCER TREATMENT: “Well written. Easy to read. This book is full of answers to those of us with so many questions on such an overwhelming topic. Dr. Maguire translates cancer treatment and prevention options into a language easily understandable. I highly recommend this book as a family member’s guide to cancer treatment. - Ike Kinlaw
