More than 13,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia every year – and this figure is increasing over time. It’s more important than ever before for women to be informed.
Knowledge, in this instance, is not just power; knowledge is survival. You may think you know about breast cancer. After all, we hear about it in the media, we know it’s something to be aware of and we know how to check for lumps… don’t we?
Firstly, it’s so important to speak with your GP about all of this. How to check, when to check, what to check for and, if you have a family history of cancer, what special precautions should be taken. In the instance of the worst case scenario – a diagnosis of breast cancer – it’s more important than ever to be informed and know what is happening and what will happen as time goes on.
That’s where The Little Pink Book comes in.
Dr Phillip Yuile, a Sydney-based radiation oncologist, has compiled all the questions he has been asked over his thirty year career. Broken into sections that explain the disease, the diagnosis, the treatment, the side effects, possible additional problems, the role of genetics, lifestyle, support groups and the all important – what next? - this is a book for those with breast cancer and also those supporting someone with breast cancer.
The book includes some medical jargon, of course, but it is predominantly put in laymen’s terms. It is well laid out, simple to follow and understand. It is confronting with all its information yet it can be read in more manageable portions.
Dr Yuile says, ‘If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you will want to know everything you can about the disease. As everyone can appreciate, being diagnosed with cancer is a severe shock. People with breast cancer, and their loved ones, need warmth, support, information and realistic optimism.’
Amen to that.
Title: The Little Pink Book
Author: Dr Phillip Yuile
Category: Non-fiction
Publisher: Finch Publishing
ISBN: 9781921462245
RRP: $29.95
Publication Date: April 2011