Patrick C. Walsh | Janet Farrar Worthington
1 Excellent ; especially if you're leaning toward surgery.
My husband and I ordered and read many books on prostate cancer when he was first diagnosed in the Spring of 2002, at the age of 53. Of all the books we read, this one seemed to be the most comprehensive, even though it did have a slant toward surgery. It does, however, also explore alternatives to surgery. After reading several books, and after gathering all the information we could on his individual case, we eventually opted for surgery. Consequently, because this book discussed surgery in great detail, we found it very useful.
2 A Great Resource
I did not find any ego or significant bias in this book. I actually found it remarkably wide-ranging in identifying and describing the available options, and setting forth the pertinent facts from a number of scientic studies (someone might see the statistics in it as self-promotion, but I found that all of the doctors that I spoke with had their own statistical arguments). As I learned more it was clear that the procedure with the highest probability of success was the radical prostatectomy. It is, however, the most invasive with the longest recovery period. So I took that route and am now in the recuperative process. My cancer is completely gone and the nerves controlling continence and potency were saved. Before I read this book, I would not have understood the significance of that. Bottom line? Read as much as you can, but this book is a must in that process.
3 The Only Book You Need to Win the Battle of Prostate Cancer
When my significant other announced that he had prostate cancer, the shock and fear riveted through me. I decided that we were at war with cancer and every step we took would determine Tom's fate(not his real name for his privacy.)My next step was to learn everything I could about the disease and available treatments. Tom was ready to follow any direction his urologist advised without any research. I believe that anyone facing cancer, owes it to themselves to understand the type of cancer they have, their options, and the consquences of the treatment course they choose. Dr. Walsh's book provides all of the above.
His book was by far the most detailed, current, and progressive of the dozen that I reviewed. Key points included nerve sparing techinics to prevent impotence and incontinence, clear explanations of all present treatment options, with objective listings of pros and cons. By the time we started the interviewing process, I was armed with advanced information that allowed me to ask key questions which helped us decide if the Dr. being interviewed was up-to-date enough to get the results we wanted and had a successful track record, which included - Complete cancer removal,as well as Tom remaining continent and potent(able to have/maintain an erection at the level he had prior to surgery). We selected Dr. Bradley Thrasher, at KU Medical Center, because he uses Dr. Walsh's surgical techinics. Without, Dr. Walsh's book as a guide, Tom, would have elected seeding, because it was the least invasive procedure and was recommended by his urlogist. Instead, Tom, went for the gold standard, had his prostate and glands removed, and has had a complete recovery. After 18 months, his PSI remains undetectable, he has not experienced incontinence, his sexual drive is normal and he can maintain erections. He is 67, and thanks me often for encouraging him to become informed about his options and the disease, to ask questions, and take control of his medical course. Tom was lucky to have caught the cancer early. Not all outcomes are as successful due to the patient's age and stage of cancer. But for that very reason, the book becomes more necessary as the patient fights for his life and the quality of life he will have. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Thrasher are true heros. In addition to prostate cancer, medical procedures/treatments for other prostate conditions are thoroughly explored as well. Well worth your investment. Once read, share with male friends to aid in increased early detection and cure. Susan
4 Read with careful consideration
Be aware that there are essentially equal but very different approaches to treating various stages of prostate cancer. You will find dramatically different points of view (all well supported with nearly equal pros and cons in the medical literature). The major treatments are surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. This author is a surgeon and this book is biased toward surgical intervention. Please be aware that radiation therapy (either IMRT external beam or brachytherapeutic seed implants) is a popular choice and that serious advanced prostate cancer can often be shut down with hormone therapy. To be fair to yourself, you need to consider ALL options and become well informed on all of them before you choose because you only get one opportunity to choose. What is done is done and cannot be undone or revised.
I have prostate cancer myself, so this is a first person review of this book. I won't tell you what my choice was because your choice needs to be what is right for you, not what someone else convinces you was right for them!
5 A pioneering resource for the field of men's health...
Not satisfied with having revolutionized the field of prostate cancer surgery, Dr. Walsh has teamed with Janet Farrar Worthington to produce a book that may well be the gold standard for communication about the disease and its treatment. Their lens is wide, embracing discussions about the epidemiology of the disease (e.g. variations among population groups, risk factors, associated lifestyle patterns, trends), the diagnostic tests available, the current approaches to staging the disease, the treatment options, and the experience under those options with potentential side effects, like incontinence and impotence. They draw fully upon the available medical literature and offer substantial detail on the anatomy, physiology, pathology, psychology, analytical chemistry of the disease and its diagnosis, as well as the approaches to treatment. Detail of this intricacy could be tedious or confusing, yet the authors present it in an unusually accessible fashion. For the curious, the book offers an informative and thought-provoking review of the role of possible dietary and lifestyle triggers in the etiology of prostate cancer. For those sorting through--and preparing for--treatment options, the book offers important insights and practical guidance.
Because prostate cancer is a disease fraught with uncertainty, and much is being learned daily about its possible causes, about the diagnostic limitations, and about the effectiveness of various current and emerging treatments, the book is aiming at a moving target. Written in 2002, there are 2004 elements the authors would no doubt add. But, as is, Dr. Walsh's Guide is itself a pioneering resource both for those with immediate concerns about prostate cancer, and for the nascent field of men's health. It is a wonderfully helpful contribution.
6 Understanding and some guidance
This book was recommended to me by Oncology Doctors and Nurses. I found it very helpful to read after the blur of diagnosis. It helped me to understand what was happening to me and what outcomes might be in my future. I found myself re-reading sections of it to gain a deeper understanding of all the new medical lingo. It helped me formulate the questions I should ask. Only "weakness" is that since it is written by a Urologist, the surgical options are covered most extensively while other, newer options are only lightly covered. So you will need to continue reasearching treatment options. Well worth the investment of money and time. A sincere thank you to Dr. Walsh for making it all comprehensible.
7 A must-read book!
This book is a must-read for anyone who has a prostate or knows someone who does! It provides complete, up-to-date information on all aspects of the prostate. The chapters are organized so that you can read the material that is most applicable to your situation. It answers any type of question that you may have - from prevention to the treatment of common prostate problems. The material is presented in a compassionate, caring way by a doctor who has dedicated his career to saving lives and to helping patients maintain their quality of life.
Dr. Patrick Walsh is urologist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins whose urology department was ranked #1 in the country in a recent U.S. News & World Report analysis. Dr. Walsh is also known for his pioneering work in the development of the anatomic approach to radical prostatectomy, which involves nerve-sparing techniques that have reduced the possibility of impotence and incontinence. This procedure is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for prostate cancer treatment. So, the information in this book is simply the best available material on this subject.
Does the book always recommend radical prostatectomy surgery? Definitely not! It offers useful information on radiation -- both external-beam and radioactive seed treatments. It discusses the use of hormone treatments. It helps you sort out which procedure is right for your situation. It also covers basic information about the prostate, prostate enlargement and prostate infections.
Perhaps most importantly, it provides tips on maintaining a healthy prostate and testing procedures for detecting prostate cancer. And if prostate cancer is caught early enough, the book emphasizes that it is completely curable.
A must-read book for all men and for the people who care about them!
8 A worthwhile "first opinion"
The book is very thorough, and does have a noticeable bias toward surgery. BUT it does an excellent job with that viewpoint, and surgery is indeed the "gold standard" for cure in many cases. That being said, I'd suggest buying this one but also reading "A Primer on Prostate Cancer" by Stephen Strum and Donna Pogliano, which is the best overall PC resource book I've seen, and better balanced.
9 Be an informed patient...
An extremely well written book referred to me by my urologist. Many of my friends also referred this book to me once they learned that I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. While cancer is fearful, knowledge will lessen that fear and provide you with a course of action. Reading the book will enable you to more readily understand and validate the advice of physicans. Understanding this disease will also help you in asking the right questions about what you will be facing in the future.
The book is written for the lay person to easily understand prostate cancer. The subject matter is organized in a manner that will enable you to initially skip some chapters depending at what stage of the disease you are at when you acquire the book. For example, if you already know that you have cancer as the result of a biopsy, you can go immediately to "your options to fight the disease" without first reading what the prostate gland is and where it is located. You can save the basics for a later date. Even if you don't have prostate cancer I would highly recommend this book to any man. If nothing else, it will inform you why your annual physical consists of a digital exam and a PSA analysis of your blood. Knowledge of the prostate is important to all men...be informed.
I am greatful to my urologist and friends that they recommended this book to me. In return, I have recommended it to other friends and I recommend it to you. If you have prostate cancer, I wish you the best. It is highly curable.
10 A hard sell for surgery
If it wasn't for the obligatory overview of the prostate and a
rather clear description of what prostate cancer is, I would have used fewer stars due to the overbearing presence of Walsh's
ego. Its reads like Walsh's "brand" of treatment and while he
tries to say a few comforting words, I found his viewpoint depressing and thus, less helpful than it could be. A much more honest and comforting recent read is A Hit Below the Belt by a Dr with prostate cancer.
11 Must Have for PCa Victim
At 46 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa), a disease that grows in men my age at an accelerated rate, and a disease that took my father at 50. The shock was tremendous. I opted for radical prostatectomy and denial. My wife, on the other hand, read Dr. Walsh's first book "The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them." I cured my denial in time to read his newer book "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer." Both books are extremely informative and have gone a very, very long way in helping me with coping with this disease and understanding that it does not have to be terminal and that even if it is, I can live a much longer life than I fretted over. In the newsgroups I now attend, it is considered by most to be THE definitive work on prostate cancer.
12 Best book on PCa
When I was diagnosed I bought a stack of books on Prostate Cancer. I find myself referring to this one almost every day, I am recovering from a Radical Prostatectomy. It is the best book out there. He covers all the steps of the process and all types of treatments. Read it in good health.
13 a guide to coming clean
This book explains EVERYTHING you would want to know about this all too common of illnesses. This book is a true guide with a whole lot of insider information. If you have a prostate or love any one with one this is the book to buy.
