How To Be A Better Cancer Survivor
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Bernie Siegel is the founder of ECAP (Exceptional Cancer Patients) and much of this book is drawn from his experiences with these patients. The purpose of the book is to help cancer survivors to become exceptional patients who learn to embrace life more fully and live longer. Usually these patients are able to take control of their lives and treatments in partnership with their doctors. There is a connection between mind and body which can be exploited in order to maximize chances for recovery. The will to live is very important in this process. In arguably the most interesting chapter of the text, the author describes the characteristics of exceptional patients and other notable survivors. The book provides much information and hope which anyone battling cancer will find uplifting.
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Blaming the victims
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This obscene perversion of medical fact has used a handfull of doubtful studies and twisted it into the dispicable message that having cancer is the fault of the patient and not getting better is ALSO the fault of the patient. The studies quoted suggest that stress and/or positive thinking has a tiny effect on the survival rates of cancer patients, but this infinitesimal effect is blown out of all proportion by Siegal to support his disgusting ideas that disease is a result of a lack of spirituality and all patients can cure themselves though self-love. Siegal, amazingly, argues that if you have cancer, its because you are repressing your feelings or have been taught to associate illness with reward (he quotes cards and grapes!). This rubbish sends the implicit message to the reader that having cancer is therefore your own fault and not being able to spontaneously cure yourself of cancer is also your fault by not being "courageous" or "loving yourself" enough. I cannot condemn this atrocious right-wing creed enough. Do NOT buy this abominable book!
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This book is indeed a miracle of compassion and love
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Bernie Seigel is a man of overwhelming compassion and good sense. I have just bought yet another copy of this wonderful book to give to yet another friend who is embarking on the minefield which is breast cancer, a path I first trod in 1994 and when a friend recommended this wonderful book I read and re-read it through certain times of my journery through cancer and out the other end. I related to so much of the content that at last I felt I was NOT alone and others had been here before me and survived. We are the lucky ones, I have many friends that I made through this journery who are no longer with us but they gained great strength through reading this book and it enabled them to change the time they had left and make every day count. I do not know why some of us survive longer than others but we can all make a change to our lives that will enhance it along the way. I know I have changed my life in so many ways and my attitudes have changed greatly, I always say and people find this hard to believe but cancer bought more to me that it every took away and this book certainly helped set me on this hopeful path. This book is a MUST for anyone who is forced to confront their own mortality "A truly life changing book" PLEASE READ IT SOON.
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COMPASSIONATE, INSIGHTFUL, WITTY, INSPIRED
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I can't believe I am the first person to review this wonderful book on Amazon.co.uk. Bernie Siegel - a surgeon and oncologist - possesses that rare talent: an ability to combine spirituality with medicine, in a manner that is truly ground-breaking - although he DOES point out that it is only in recent decades that, regarding health, the link between body and soul has been so completely severed, with 'modern' therapeutic theories seeming to believe that merely treating outward symptoms is the same as achieving inner healing. It is not. This book with transform how you think about life, death, illness, healing, love and the doctor-patient relationship. It is a book of hope, love and immense charity. Even better, it is a rolling good read, filled with anedotal yarns, witty asides and inspirational, real-life stories of survivors who defied the often terminal disgnoses meted out by "all-knowing" MD's - which some doctors seem to think stands for 'Medical Diety', quips Siegel - and went on to find peace, and often longevity. A must for every person who wants to know more about how the body and the spirit influence one another.
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This book really does change lives!
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I was lucky enough to discover Bernie Siegel's book when I was recovering from cancer. It's the only book I have ever read that prompted me to write to the author and thank him for the help he gave me. Words cannot describe the impact this book can have - buy it - and anything else he writes!
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