The Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer: A Psychologist's Insight As a Patient

The author offers insight on the experience of breast cancer from the dual perspective of a patient and practicing psychologist in the UK. Her journey from diagnosis through surgery, therapy, and changes in self-image and relationships will provide support for patients and give insight to medical and mental health trainees and professionals. Although she is a medical professional herself, Galgut was not immune to condescending and insensitive treatment: her side effects were ignored, she was made to feel like a difficult patient when she asked to speak to a doctor, and she was blamed for her cancer due to her lesbian lifestyle. A separate chapter by an MD who had breast cancer reveals a similar pattern. Each chapter concludes with a summary where the author lists what would have helped her during that stage of treatment and which things actually did help. In addition to her personal story, the author also discusses the history of attitudes to the breast and breast cancer, illustrated with b&w photos of classic art depicting female nudes. The book includes a brief glossary of medical terms. The book is published by Radcliffe Publishing, UK, and distributed in the US by BookMasters. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)