Surviving Cancer
by Michael A. Sirover, Ph.D.
Cancer therapy today: Is the glass half full or is it half empty? The goal of this book is to have a conversation with the reader on a serious subject, the treatment of cancer. The hope is to present to the reader in a readily understandable manner the origin of cancer, the nature of cancer therapy, the rationale for the treatments the patient will undergo as well as the hope and success such therapies provide. In this manner, we may facilitate the ability of patients and their families to marshal the resources necessary to fight and to conquer this disease.
The book is intended for a broad audience. You do not need a college degree in science to read and to understand it. For that reason, easily understood examples from everyday life are used as a means to aid the reader in understanding the concepts underlying cancer treatment. Some graphs have been included to highlight particularly relevant, important topics. However, they are designed to be user friendly to fit the conversational tone of the book
An overriding theme of this book is embodied in its title. Cancer need not be the dreaded and fatal disease that we think that word embodies. It is important for patients, family and friends to understand that, in this day and age, many individuals survive and lead worthwhile, productive lives. This is not to say that all patients are cured or go into remission. Some cancers we treat fairly successfully. With others, the outcome is not as hopeful. We have come a long way but there is a ways to go. Thus, the glass may be more than half full and less than half empty.
The book is written in an optimistic, upbeat yet realistic fashion. This is in accord with the author’s belief that we have made incredible progress in the treatment of many cancers which, at times, we fail to appreciate. This is not to say that we do not have major obstacles that still must be overcome in some cases nor is it intended to minimize the considerable side effects which accompany many cancer therapies.
It is intended to bring real hope to patients, families and friends that they should not despair and that this disease can be conquered. This will take time, effort and there will be pain. It is the author’s belief that patients need to endure what is actually a relatively short, intense time of cancer therapy for the years during which they may be cancer free with the real promise of a cure that could last a lifetime. We hope that a focus on the light of hope at the end of the tunnel of cancer treatment will enable patients, family and friends to persevere until that goal is reached.