Cancer

Has cancer treatment improved since former President Richard Nixon declared ``war on cancer'' 20 years ago? Yes and no, conclude the authors--a physician, a former biochemistry professor and a scientist--in this comprehensive look at cancer research and treatment. They reassess what cancer is and the progress that has been made in its prevention, detection and care. Especially valuable is an overview of cancer treatments for the 10 most common cancers. The authors advise readers to contact the Physician Data Query, a useful resource providing the most up-to-date information on a particular cancer and its treatment. A portion of the book focuses on clinical trials--how to learn what they involve, to decide whether to participate and to determine what their use to patients may be. Look here, too, for charts that tell of DNA viruses associated with cancers in humans, and cancers apparently caused by medical procedures or prescribed drugs. There may be more information here about cancer than some will need to know, but knowledge is power and can help to shape important decisions about life and death, treatment and care. (Apr.)