Her book is a valuable resource for anyone facing a diagnosis of breast cancer—or, indeed, any other serious health condition. In it, she offers tips on how to navigate confusing health care systems and find assistance from patient advocates and support groups. She also praises integrative oncologists who combine conventional treatments with alternative ones.

A cogent and detailed look at the realities of cancer care.

VERDICT This title is recommended for most comprehensive patient health collections.  PhD Maker was diagnosed in 2011 with metastatic lobular mammary carcinoma in a left axillary node. This guide for patients details every inch of her process, from multiple physician and hospital evaluations to her surgery and adjuvant therapy and overall wellness plan.

This highly recommended pick should be in every general lending library and in every health or women’s issues collection.  Readers should anticipate not a ‘how to’ title, but a blend of autobiography and investigation as Janet Maker, Ph.D. discusses her journey through the world of medical diagnostic procedures and cancer treatments. Chapters discuss how she made her own choices and, even more importantly, highlight the knowledge she holds today that might, in hindsight, have influenced or changed these decisions. Perhaps most telling of all comes from the author’s own words in her preface: “This is the book I wished I had when I needed it.”  … The result is far beyond an autobiography of experience and delves into the worlds of latest research applications, best practices, and treatments every breast cancer patient should know about before they make decisions.  Read Diane’s detailed review here…

Because of Dr. Maker’s academic background as a researcher, she discovered facts about the disease and its treatments about which lay people may not know. I particularly enjoyed reading what she did after she went into remission — how she worked with an integrative oncologist to adjust her internal “terrain”. This involved major lifestyle changes in terms of diet, supplements, exercise, stress reduction, and detoxification, all of which are in alignment with the 9 healing factors that Radical Remission survivors use. I hope you enjoy it!

Highly recommended. The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer is a concise and well-written gift for women navigating the medical system and trying to make better-informed decisions. Based on her personal experience with breast cancer and well-honed investigative and critical thinking skills, Janet Maker Ph.D. offers readers a full spectrum of insights, resources, and even warnings when facing a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment that applies just as well to any other crucial health issue. Read Bonnie’s detailed review on the Breast Cancer Consortium web page…

 I highly recommend The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer by Janet Maker, Ph.D., as a must-read book for all women.To say that the author was thorough in her research and education is an understatement. Diving headfirst into the world of information, she tenaciously endeavored to overcome every obstacle one by one until she had enough information to make well-educated decisions. Readers will discover how little is actually understood about breast cancer, the general attitude of the cancer establishment, and the absolute need to educate themselves in light of a diagnosis. There is also a wealth of information about the importance of a good support group, proper nutrition, and complementary alternative medicine and treatments. Read Sheri’s detailed review on the Reader Views website.

A must read for any breast cancer patient looking for an insightful and up to date resource. A comprehensive guide that taps into an enormous wealth of clinical and scientific literature to provide readers with significant knowledge and resources to explore standard and integrative therapeutic options. Through her rigorous analysis of treatment options and outcomes, Janet Maker takes us through her personal journey of dealing with cancer and highlights the challenges of identifying personalized treatment as a breast cancer patient. She relies on cutting edge scientific and clinical evidence to guide her treatment strategies and presents readers with exciting new research that is changing the way cancer is diagnosed and treated.

The Thinking Women’s Guide, is invaluable not only to patients and families but also health care providers that wish to understand and treat those affected by this disease. The Thinking Women’s Guide to Breast Cancer is a beautifully written and honest guide for any person or person who has a loved one that has received a cancer diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis can be one of the scariest and most confusing times for a patient and their family. It can be very challenging to navigate the health care system, make an individualized informed decision about treatment and receive the support that is needed during this time. Dr. Janet Maker bravely tells her personal story while also providing invaluable knowledge and evidence based research about all things involved in battling breast cancer. Janet Maker’s book contains a wealth of information that will help so many not only navigate the road to personal recovery but also help every person touched by cancer understand how to support the whole person, not just the disease, on the path to wellness. This book is a rare, comprehensive and personal look into breast cancer that touches all aspects that need to be known to a patient in a way that health care providers cannot always do.Thank you Dr. Janet Maker!

I could not put this book down. The author has done her homework and I cannot wait to bring a copy to my oncologist! As a nurse practitioner, I fully appreciated the evidence based research information in each and every chapter! A must read!

This book combines an inspiring personal story with an amazing amount of information! Much of the book will be useful even to those who aren’t dealing with cancer. I particularly appreciated the author’s careful analysis of how being slightly overweight may actually extend life. She has done her research into side effects and survival statistics, but even more importantly she discusses how to deal with doctors who may not be able or willing to move beyond the “standard of care.” She insists on being treated as a person, not a disease.

As a resource book, as well as sometimes a cautionary tale, it is highly recommended.Told in the first person, via the narrative voice of one who had to embark on the daunting journey through the various stages of diagnosis and breast cancer treatment, this book relates the experience of the author who made it through to the other side. She has told her story with great sensitivity and sharing of personal experience, offering guideposts along the way for those who might need them. In addition, the subject has been carefully researched and contains an abundance of information. And above all, she has offered tremendous moral support and encouragement for those facing something similar.

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer’ is a must for anyone coping with the shock of a positive diagnosis. Written by a woman who has experienced the trauma and is now in successful recovery, it sets out everything you need to know to give yourself the optimum chance of survival. Cutting through the medical jargon it uses clear and understandable language to help the reader negotiate the often bewildering minefield of possibilities. The section on cold caps alone, (a method of ensuring that the hair doesn’t fall out during therapy) makes this invaluable book worth the money,

This is a must read for everyone so that they can help themselves and others with breast cancer.  I’ve always been health conscious and this book gives a LOT of good information. Janet Maker researched and found the best solutions for alternatives in treating breast cancer.

This is a terrific book: well written, informative, timely and a compelling read. The narrative draws the reader in and moves forward easily as the author describes her experiences and details what she learned along the way. She reveals what she wishes she had known at the outset, what she might have done differently, and what worked out well for her. In addition to a moving history, the book encourages patients to be pro-active in treatment decisions and relationships with medical personnel. It also provides a wealth of information and reference sources covering most, if not all, aspects of breast cancer.

A final, and important, note: although the book deals with breast cancer, its basic advice – and its encouragement to be an active, informed participant in one’s treatment – could easily apply to a wider range of cancers and, indeed, to a wide range of serious diseases. Highly recommended.

If you are a “Thinking Woman” and not willing to settle for the status quo concerning the treatment and/or the avoidance of breast cancer, you need this book. From personal experience and thorough research Maker shares the struggles and conclusions that has assisted her successfully through a forest of facts and opinions.

No one should take this path alone. Let her help you down that path.