Book review: Saving Jack: A man's struggle with breast cancer

Men are simply unaware that they can get breast cancer. Unlike the case of breast cancer in women, the disease is usually detected when the tumors are advanced.

All rights reserved, University of Oklahoma Press, 2008

Male breast cancer is not the typical thing for a man to think that he needs to see a doctor. Jack can tell you that first hand. "My mind turned to mush. I couldn't think straight. I hadn't planned what I needed to do if the pathology report came back positive. I guess I was in denial. Even though I had suspected the tumor was malignant, I had done nothing to prepare," says Jack, a retired Adjunct Professor of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma, Norman. A biopsy result has proved that Jack did indeed have male breast cancer.

This book is a first-person account of a man's encounters with breast cancer. Jack, the author relates his personal struggles with the widely known "women's disease". From first feeling a pea-sized nodule under his right nipple in the shower, to being diagnosed and undergoing mastectomy and chemotherapy treatments to recovery, Jack describes his physical, emotional and psychological changes during the process.

Jack has learned a lot from his experience as a cancer survivor. The experience was not as bad as the fear that Jack initially had when he first receives the news. The support from family and friends was important to fight through the tough time.

The heart-warming story on fear, faith and family support in the face of a death-threatening crisis will provide a source of inspiration and hope for men and their caregivers dealing with an unexpected disease.

This book is available for reference at the National Library and for loan at the Public Libraries. Check the availability of the book at: http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg

Written by Sara Pek

Senior Librarian (Reference & Research Services)

National Library Singapore

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