Afraid to Ask: A Book about Cancer

Ingrid conHausen was a librarian in New Hamburg, Ontario.

Torontonian Fine is a freelance journalist and editor of Feeling Good, published by the Canadian Cancer Society.

The first section explains what cancer is, who gets it, prevention and treatment. It ends with a chapter on dying with cancer. The second and larger section outlines the various types of cancer. In Q & A format it reports details on signs and symptoms, prognosis, who is at risk, and treatment.

Clear, simple, black-and-white drawings illustrate the text throughout. Aimed at adolescents, this book can profitably be read by children as well as adults. The print is of a decent size, but there is nothing juvenile about the format. The basic information it provides is presented honestly without condescension, in clear jargon-free prose. This is a hard book on a tough subject, and the information is presented with unflinching clarity. The author does not deal with pain and how it is managed; she does offer the reassurance that only half of cancers are painful. Otherwise, she never shies away from a calm and clear presentation of often unpalatable facts. This is one of the better books on an unpleasant subject.