THE prospect of sharing clear and accurate information about breast cancer with the community has proved a major motivation for the new book Breast Cancer: The Facts.
Principally written by Professor Christobel Saunders, a cancer surgeon at Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, the guide takes readers through all aspects of diagnosis and management of the disease.
The book also provides details about women at high risk, the role of clinical research and first-hand stories from several women that have triumphed over the disease.
“For me it was really important to write something accurate for patients and their families, as there are a lot of mixed messages out there about breast cancer,” Prof Saunders said.
“The book took a couple of years to write and it was a fun job – I just love being able to pass on information to the community, as the more information they have the better they will do.”
Prof Saunders divides her time between the two hospitals, teaching in the School of Surgery at the University of WA, research work and serving as Cancer Council WA president.
She said patients who had overcome the disease had provided a big inspiration in her putting together the book with fellow UWA academic Dr Sunil Jassal.
“It’s a book that I hope will provide most of the information on breast cancer in an accessible format, and point readers to more detailed advice,” Prof Saunders said.
Jacquie Moran’s photos are used in the book.