Dr. Steven Q. Wang, a world-renowned skin cancer expert, provides an essential guide for people with melanoma and their families. The book's unique, practical format approaches the disease in two phases, just as people with melanoma need to do. First comes a step-by-step guide for what Dr. Wang calls the 'mad rush' phase -- an intense and stressful period from diagnosis to completing initial treatment. Dr. Wang's calm guidance helps readers through this critical time, utilizing an easy to understand plan for ensuring optimal treatment and survival outcomes. Once the mad rush phase is over, the 'marathon phase' begins -- life resumes its normal shape but with lingering concerns about new melanoma and metastases. Here Dr. Wang addresses common questions about prevention and prognosis.Beating Melanoma offers current research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of melanoma; a large sampling of photographs of skin cancers; and a readable narrative that demystifies everything from the pathology report to the stages of cancer. The only book to outline detailed instructions for melanoma patients at all stages of their disease, it is a guide that people with melanoma will turn to with gratitude.
Preface 1. Introduction: You Have Melanoma. Now What? 2. The Five-Step Plan: Navigating the ""Mad Rush"" Phase Step 1. Get the Information: The Pathology Report Why You Need a Copy of the Pathology Report Understanding the Report Step 2. Assess the Reliability of the Information Which Specialist Makes the Diagnosis? Why Does It Matter Which Pathologist? How to Verify the Accuracy of the Diagnosis What to Do if You Are Not Satisfied with the Diagnosis What to Do if the Reports Conflict Step 3. Find the Clinical Experts in Your Area Stacy's and Helen's Stories How to Find Experts Near Your Home What to Do if You Cannot Find Experts Near Your Home Step 4. Understand Your Treatment Options and the AJCC Staging System What Is the AJCC Staging System? Interpreting the AJCC Staging System How Does Your Doctor Identify the Stage of Your Disease? Understand Your Treatment Options Step 5. Understand Survival Rate and Prognosis 3. The ""Marathon"" Phase: Surviving Melanoma Medical Follow-Up Why Do You Need Continual Follow-Up Examinations? Which Specialist or Specialists Should You See forFollow-Ups? How Frequently Should You Have Follow-Up Exams? What Should You Expect during Follow-Up Visits? Who Is at Risk for Developing Melanoma? What Is Your Skin Color? How Much Sun Exposure Have You Had? What Is Your Personal and Family History? Do You Have Large Moles that Were Present at Birth? Preventing Melanoma Primary Prevention: Avoid Excessive UV Exposure Secondary Primary: Detecting Melanoma at an Early Stage Why You Should Not Use Tanning Booths Medical Developments Computer-Assisted Diagnostic Devices MoleSafe Confocal Laser Microscopy Genetic Analysis 4. Networking: Finding and Sharing Information How Can I Get Involved? Recommended Web Sites 5. Beating Melanoma: The Checklist Appendixes A. Basal Cell Cancer B. Squamous Cell Cancer C. Melanoma Image Library Glossary Index
""This book is suitable for a wide audience, from patients to health care professionals... It gathers together all the important information you need to get on and make decisions... This book will empower you'read it!""
