Your Life in Your Hands

Plant, a British geochemist, claims that eliminating dairy products from her diet saved her from dying of breast cancer (which recurred five times)--and argues that readers can prevent such a diagnosis or recurrence by doing the same. Although this recommendation is based largely on her own experience, she initially discusses how she used her scientific training to discover what caused her cancer. Subsequent chapters address how cells become cancerous; the scientific link between dairy and breast cancer; Plant's dietary and lifestyle recommendations; and why the medical establishment and policy-makers have failed to look sufficiently at the role of dietary and environmental factors in cancer. Plant also includes worthwhile tips for coping with health professionals, conventional treatment (which she supports along with her recommended dietary changes) and the emotional impact of a positive diagnosis. The scientific case Plant builds against dairy products suggests this area is worthy of further study, but the evidence she presents is not substantial enough to warrant her claims. Moreover, her recommendation that women replace dairy products with soy products is also troublesome, as some studies show large amounts of soy stimulate breast cancer cells in women who have had cancer. Although Plant is no doubt sincere, the suggestion that women can ""conquer"" cancer by following the ""Plant Program"" is overly simplistic and optimistic. (Feb.)