The Complete Breast Book

Moira Harris is a graduate student in animal behavior at the University
of Saskatchewan.

This book should have been titled The Complete Breast-Cancer Book, since
it is primarily about breast cancer, having grown out of a series of
award-winning articles about the subject. The majority of its 274 pages
are devoted to breast abnormalities of various kinds, the most prominent
being breast cancer. A more comprehensive introduction to the anatomy of
the normal breast, and to the psychological and sexual issues
surrounding women’s breasts, would have been a good precursor to the
discussion of breast cancer that follows.

In general, the author does a good job of explaining breast cancer. She
discusses in detail risk factors, the different types of tumors, the
detection and treatment of tumors, recovery from cancer, living with
cancer, and breast reconstruction. A woman’s right to participate
fully in her treatment decisions, to give informed consent, and (if not
satisfied) to seek another caregiver or a second opinion are continually
emphasized. The book includes a comprehensive list of Canadian and North
American breast-cancer resources: advocacy, activism, and support
organizations, as well as books and tapes.

Engel’s technical knowledge and writing skills (she is a biochemist
and medical journalist) have enabled her to explain difficult concepts
using easy-to-understand language, although at times the book is
needlessly repetitive and somewhat disorganized. The tone is neither
alarmist nor overly reassuring. Despite its relatively minor drawbacks,
The Complete Breast Book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to
know more about breast cancer.