What is Colon & Rectal Cancer?
Colon & rectal cancer begins as the uncontrolled growth of cells that line the
innermost surface of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Who gets Colon & Rectal Cancer?
- There's a steady increase in colon cancer among those living increasingly
far from the equator.
- Males are diagnosed more frequently than females.
- Black people are diagnosed more often than white people. They are also
diagnosed at a later stage, earlier age, and survive for shorter periods
of time.
- Although primarily a disease of older adults, colon and rectal cancer
accounts for 2 to 6 percent of cases among those aged 40 and younger.
SEBASTOPOL, CA --There are 130,000 new cases of colon and rectal cancer
diagnosed in the United States each year, making it the fourth most common
cancer. However, the American Cancer Society estimates that colon & rectal
cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths.
Colon & Rectal Cancer:
A Comprehensive Guide for Patients & Families by Lorraine
Johnston will help those living with colon & rectal cancer (and their families)
to participate in their own healthcare. It describes: current treatment
options; clinical trials and promising future treatments; characteristics of
colon cancer, suspected causes and factors in prognoses; dealing with tests,
symptoms, and treatment side effects; how to manage stress and best
communicate with medical personnel, and stories from those living with
colon cancer.
Treatments for colon & rectal cancer are changing at a rapid pace. Colon
& Rectal Cancer is the only in-depth book on the disease that is
written for patients and their families who need up-to-date and thorough
information to participate wisely in treatment decisions. This book gives the
reader the necessary tools and starting points for research and discussions
with doctors.
About the Author
Lorraine Johnston, who has a bachelor's degree in life sciences, is a
respected member of the online cancer community, the wife of an eight-year
lymphoma survivor, and the daughter of a twenty-year lymphoma survivor. In
the course of her efforts, she has been interviewed by National Public
Radio's Marketplace program regarding
the best ways to find reliable medical information using the Internet.
She is also the author of
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Making Sense of
Diagnosis, Treatment & Options (Patient-Centered Guides, 1999).
Colon & Rectal Cancer:
A Comprehensive Guide for Patients & Families
by Lorraine Johnston
$24.95, 528 pages, paperback
ISBN: 1-56592-633-1
PUBLICATION DATE: January 2000
About Patient-Centered Guides
Patient empowerment is the central theme at the core of the Patient-Centered
Guides series. We believe that people are empowered when they have the
knowledge and skills to partner with their doctor or healthcare provider to
get the best medical care possible.
We publish books that contain clear, concise, easy to understand information
about the medical, practical and emotional aspects of health issues. All of our
authors are experts in specific conditions and diseases and are the driving
forces behind building strong and networked communities of patients, families
and caregivers.
In addition to our books, we publish information on the web. Our site is an extension of our mission to
empower individuals to become informed health-conscious consumers.
Patient-Centered Guides is a division of O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
O'Reilly is recognized worldwide for its technical books that fill a void
and provide value to people who are experiencing information pain.
O'Reilly publishes books that make a difference in people's lives.
