Considerable care has gone into the layout which has the feel and clarity of the best computer tutorials. The depth and breadth of Dr Daniel's 20 years of experience with cancer at the Bristol Cancer Care Centre and as a consultant is very apparent in the detailed, caring and thorough way in which she guides the reader through every step of the journey, highlighting the common pitfalls that are to be expected and that can often be avoided.

The orthodox approach to cancer is presented by Professor Karol Sikora - one of the earliest NHS advocates of the integrated approach to cancer care - and Patricia Peat, an oncology nurse who runs a consultancy to assist patients in their choice of treatments, both orthodox and alternative. An opportunity is missed to give due weight to the potential of orthodox treatments, notably radiotherapy, to cause cancer, which is unfortunate as this should be a vital factor in making a balanced decision on treatment choices. Then follows an extensive exposition of all the key alternative therapies available, and, crucially, advice on choosing from the almost unlimited possible combinations and on achieving the best outcome. Part One of the Directory concludes with the valuable contribution complementary therapies can make to the management of symptoms and side-effects, a substantial section on generating long-term health, and a valuable chapter for the often neglected carers.

Part Two, a little under half of the book, is a tour de force of resources, giving a wealth of detailed UK-centred information on treatments, practitioners, clinics, charities, suppliers, support groups etc, along with a bibliography, references and an index.

The thorough and contemporary nature of The Cancer Directory renders it an indispensable reference for every cancer patient.