My Mother's Breast: Daughters Face Their Mothers' Cancer

Tarkan, a health and medical writer, describes the emotional turmoil and special concerns of daughters whose mothers have been diagnosed with breast cancer, drawing upon the personal reflections of those same women. According to Tarkan, the way daughters are affected by their mothers' breast cancer is as varied as the women themselves. While some of these daughters deal with their mother's cancer with optimism and hope, others fall into a deep depression, and several go so far as to avoid their mothers altogether. Many daughters become overly concerned about their own mortality, knowing that they are at a higher risk for developing the disease. Mothers describe their own hopes, fears and concerns about their daughters, who, most often, have cared for them during the course of their disease. To help these daughters help themselves, Tarkan gives information culled from cancer experts and other health-care professionals on the real risks associated with breast cancer and reducing that risk, when possible. Whatever the individual approach to therapy, Tarkan highly recommends participation in support groups. A sensitive discussion on whether daughters should be genetically tested for breast cancer and an emphasis on the need to take emotional as well as physical care of oneself makes this important reading for daughters as well as their families and friends. Also useful are Tarkan's glossary of procedures, terms used when dealing with breast cancer and frequently used chemotherapeutics, plus an extensive resource section. (May)