Suggested Reading

Books for prostate cancer survivors range from useful to misleading. Here is a guide for those looking for the right book.

Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, by Patrick C. Walsh, M.D., and Janet Farrar Worthington (copyright 2001). Perhaps the most comprehensive layman's book on the market, this guide is a must-read if you're considering a radical prostatectomy. Written by Johns Hopkins urologist Patrick Walsh, whose research is supported by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the book begins with an in-depth overview of anatomy (featuring clear, accessible diagrams). Thoughtful discussions on subjects ranging from PSA testing to impotence make the book a valuable resource for men exploring issues related to prostate cancer. The authors also touch on topics such as the dangers of high-fat diets, giving readers a springboard to research these topics in greater depth on their own. One important bonus: The book includes the Partin tables, an extremely useful tool used by physicians (and patients) to figure out the odds that cancer has spread beyond the prostate.


Prostate Cancer For Dummies, by Paul H. Lange and Christine Adamec (copyright 2003). If you are one of the thousands of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, then this straightforward guide that uses "non-medical" terminology is for you. Prostate Cancer For Dummies is a consumer guide that provides concise, up-to-date information on treatment options and how to cope with treatment side effects, receive the follow-up care you need, and handle work and family life during your recovery.