Drs. Karen Gelmon, Ivo Olivotto, Urva Kuusk

Breast Cancer: All you need to know to take an active part in your treatment

This updated second edition of an easy-to-read self-help book by three UBC doctors at the B.C. Cancer Agency deals with the way women are treated for breast cancer in Canada.

Gelmon, Olivotto and Kuusk say it's unique because it walks patients through each step -- from diagnosis to prognosis -- and dispels panic, allowing the patient to have straight-forward information.

By providing information, the book helps women make treatment decisions at a time which is usually very stressful.

The comprehensive book has chapters about mammograms, risks of developing breast cancer, benefits and side effects of surgery, radiation, hormone and chemotherapy.

There are also chapters on coping with the disease, reconstructive surgery, non-traditional therapies, physiotherapy and women's advocacy groups.