A radical synthesis of science and personal experience that advocates a sea change in the way we understand and confront cancer When David Servan- Schreiber, a dedicated scientist and doctor, was diagnosed with brain cancer, it changed his life. Confronting what medicine knows about the illness, the little known workings of the body's natural cancer-fighting capacities, and his own will to live, Servan-Schreiber found himself on a fifteen-year journey from disease and relapse into scientific exploration, and finally to health. Combining memoir with a clear explanation of what makes cancer cells thrive and what inhibits them, and describing both conventional and alternative ways to slow and prevent cancer, Anticancer is revolutionary in its clarity. It is a moving story of a doctor's inner and outer search for healing; radical in its discussion of the environment, lifestyle, and trauma; and inspiring and cautionary in its certainty that cancer cells lie dormant in all of us--and we all must care for the "terrain" in which they exist. Anticancer takes us on a serious journey and, ultimately, an empowering one. In the tradition of Michael Pollan, John Kabat- Zinn, Barbara Kingsolver, and Andrew Weil, Anticancer genuinely guides us to "a new way of life."
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
wonderful book:
This is an excellent book. The author combines his own story of batttling cancer along with excellent scientific evidence. The book does not have a strong a political agenda, but rather presents facts and studies from excellent sources from around the world. His personal story of fighting cancer is touching as well. This is a great book not only for those wanting to know about cancer, but also for those simply wanting to break from the norm, eat healthy and live a high quality life. I recommended this... more info
Valuable Cancer Education:
I hate diet/health book that are all menu and only fuzzy science. Everyone bashes "killer" white sugar, but this book tells you why it justifies the reputation, for example. That's what makes "Anti-Cancer" great. It articulates clearly the differing mechanisms cancer uses to take command of the body's immune system, and presents the latest research on what's effective against the attacks. After reading the book I created a PowerPoint presentation and made kids/family watch!
Excellent treatment of a complex topic:
In my previous job as a copywriter, I was responsible for seeking out and writing about the latest findings in the field of health and wellbeing. As a trained nurse, I know how to read medical literature and I've developed a pretty good eye for what represents sound research and reasonable conclusions. Given all that, I had pretty high expectations of this book, and I wasn't disappointed. The fact that the reference section takes up 28 full pages of a 243-page book shows that the book has been... more info
How to Partner Your Own Healing:
A couple of years ago, I interviewed David Servan-Schreiber on my radio show, "Turn On Your Inner Light" about his excellent book, "The Instinct to Heal." He did a wonderful job noting how exercise improves mood - naturally. After reading "Anti-Cancer" I see that he continues to inspire the reader with science and story. Shakespeare said it well, "Physician heal thyself." David takes it a step farther to help us heal and even better - to prevent disease. While there is no magic cure for cancer, we can all... more info
