John G. West - Prevent, Survive, Thrive: Every Womans Guide to Optimal Breast Care

Praise for Prevent, Survive, Thrive

Dr. Wests book is a valuable addition to the current literature for those touched by breast cancer. He has dedicated his career to caring and healing women with breast cancer, which he reveals with knowledge and passion in this excellent book.

John S. Link, MD, author of The Breast Cancer Survival Manual: A Step-By-Step Guide for the Woman with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

Prevent, Survive, Thrive continues Dr. John Wests longstanding message of empowerment to those facing or in fear of breast cancer. This literary gift moves from prevention to survivorship to activism in sharing pearls of wisdom that transform us from victims to victors! This book is a wellspring of knowledge from a breast health leader who is a living legend in the fight against breast cancer. I am truly blessed to have witnessed John lead a breast health movement from his base in Orange County, California, to a national level.

Marie M. La Fargue, MPH, four-time cancer survivor

If you never want to hear the words, You have breast cancer, this book is for you. You wont need a second opinion to decide whether to buy Prevent, Survive, Thrive. This book truly is, as it says on the cover, Every Womans Guide to Optimal Breast Care. It helps you navigate confusing medical jargon and separates facts from the media buzz. There are plenty of books on facing the diagnosis of breast cancer, but this book, with its accurate straight-talk information, practical tips, and survivor stories filled with hope, helps you to prevent breast cancer. Every woman with breasts needs to read this book, and dont say this because its funny. I say this because its true.

Pam Tallman, columnist and contributor to Orange Coast Magazine

I wish Id had this book at my fingertips years ago, but I am truly grateful for its publication at this time for the sake of my friends and family, as well as all women, both younger and older. Told in a blend of decadesrich expertise and personal case studies, this book provides a way to wrap your head around a womans most dreaded health worry. Prevent, Survive, Thrive: Every Womans Guide to Optimal Breast Care helps you sort through often conflicting reports and find your way to making better decisions.

Allene Symons, author of Aldous Huxleys Hands

Dr. West has shared his extensive experience in this uniquely comprehensive and easy-to-read treatise on all aspects of breast care for women of all ages (teens through seniors) and their loved ones, allowing them to be diligent in making decisions and their own choices regarding the ever-evolving questions of controversy and myth about breast cancer diagnostic alternatives and treatments. With the books information on new technologies and multiple case histories, a patient can and should feel in charge of her own breast health plan in coordination with her chosen expert medical professionals.

Dr. Gary E. Liebl, LHD, chairman emeritus, Chaminade University

My husband, Bill, and I as well as our family are very honored to have Dr. Wests book Prevent, Survive, Thrive dedicated to our daughter Michelle, who lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 26. A year after her death, we opened a Womens Breast Cancer Resource Center named Michelles Place to offer resources and support to the women in the Temecula Valley area. It had been so difficult to find any when Michelle was going through treatment. We met Dr. West through our educational seminars because he had so many patients from our area that loved him! He is their rock star for sure! He shared our concern that more women needed to be their own best advocate and that knowledge is power. His book, Prevent, Survive, Thrive, meets these concerns and so many more! He writes so lay people can easily understand the many facets of breast cancer.

Bill and Marilyn Watson, founders of Michelles Place, a womens breast cancer research center

Prevent
Survive
Thrive

Copyright 2016 by John G. West

This book is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of any information contained in this book. A health care professional should be consulted regarding your specific medical situation. Any product mentioned in this book does not imply endorsement of that product by the author or publisher.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

BenBella Books, Inc.

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First E-Book Edition: October 2016

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: West, John G. (John Gilbert), 1941- author. | Wills, Maralys, author.

Title: Prevent, survive, thrive : every womans guide to optimal breast care / John G. West with Maralys Wills.

Description: Dallas, TX : BenBella Books, Inc., [2016] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016025092 (print) | LCCN 2016029574 (ebook) | ISBN 9781942952237 (hardback) | ISBN 9781942952244 (electronic)

Subjects: LCSH: BreastCancerPreventionPopular works. | WomenHealth and hygienePopular works. | BISAC: HEALTH & FITNESS / Diseases / Cancer. | HEALTH & FITNESS / Womens Health. | MEDICAL / Diagnosis. | MEDICAL / Health Risk Assessment.

Classification: LCC RA645.C3 W47 2016 (print) | LCC RA645.C3 (ebook) | DDC 616.99/449dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016025092

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This book is dedicated to the memory of Michelle Watson, who was twenty-three years old when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Though she first noticed a breast lump at age twenty-one, her doctors told her she was too young for breast cancer.

The correct diagnosis was never considered until a bone scan indicated she had metastatic cancer. She died at age twenty-six.

Michelles parents are on a mission to improve the quality of breast care in the United States. This book was written in an effort to help them accomplish their mission.

Acknowledgments

John:

The inspiration for writing this book came from my patients. Their stories have taught me more about medicine than all the textbooks I have read and the lectures I have attended.

The book could not have been written if it were not for the support from my wife, Jan West, RN. She gave me the encouragement to start the project and provided ongoing support until the last words were written.