Fast Facts: Breast Cancer (PDF)

Wherever you are in your career, and whatever involvement you have with caring for women with breast cancer, the fifth edition of Fast Facts: Breast Cancer has something for you. The world-class authors of this popular fact-packed handbook provide practical advice on all the key areas of breast cancer management, from risk factors and diagnosis to treatment of all cancer stages. But what really makes it stand out from the crowd is the authors' awareness of the information you need when you talk to a woman concerned about breast cancer. The chapter dedicated to perception of risk will refresh your knowledge and help you talk to your patients about their individual prospects, while the short chapter on clinical trials will help you discuss potential participation in trials and answer common questions.

Improvements in the management of breast cancer have followed three major themes in recent years: greater optimization of individualized local treatment, longer duration of therapies, and the use of biological therapies targeted at specific receptors. This colorful up-to-date handbook addresses all these trends, alongside the disturbing issues of overdiagnosis as a result of screening and overtreatment.

Given the explosion in information technology, patients and their families have access to much more information on their condition and as a result assume a more active role in their medical management. Health professionals have an important role in helping patients sort the facts from the fallacies, put the risks and benefits into perspective and balance their treatment choices. For this reason alone, Fast Facts: Breast Cancer is an invaluable evidence-based resource for everyone working in breast cancer care in primary and secondary settings, from medical and nursing students, to GPs, specialist nurses and residents.

And one for your patients too … The authors encourage you to make your patients well-informed active partners in their breast cancer care by sharing this highly readable book with them.