A fellow prostate cancer patient loaned me his copy. I have my own now. "The Primer" is a classic!

Before reading "The Primer" I ordered "The Prostate" by Dr. Patrick Walsh and Janet Worthington - a good, but out of date book,especially when discussing Cryosurgery with only 2 pages devoted to the procedure. In contrast "The Primer" explains Cryosurgery in great and up-to-date detail. It devotes 7 full pages with excellent color diagrams to Cryo - an often neglected and misunderstood treatment option.

I also read "Prostate & Cancer"(Revised Edition) by Dr. Sheldon Marks. This is a much more basic guide in a Q&A format. Once again it is dated and brief as to Cryotherapy as a treatment option. I found "The Primer" to be through on all treatment strategies without being too technical. It is "accurate and balanced".

Current testing procedures, treatment options, and data are presented in a easy to access and understand format! The blue, green red color coding of sentences of special importance make the book easy to "skim" for key information and guidance. The physician notes are invaluable sources of "real patient" information. This makes the book personal and "alive" with actual patient histories.

There are other helps on the various treatment strategies but the "key" to this book is found on page 72 where the authors outline an approach to achieve the best outcome for any prostate cancer patient. This paragraph alone is worth the price of the book!

I hope the authors will keep "The Primer" current with a "revised edition" in about 5 years!

"The Primer" is a "must read" book for the newly diagnosed or post-treatment patient! It will remain as a reference work as I help others become "empowered patients" as the authors of this excellent guide have helped me to become.

Thanks, Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano. Your book has/will help thousands of men! We are grateful.

I recommend this book without reservation.


A true life saver!   May 14, 2004
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

I was so lucky to have Prostate Cancer diagnosed shortly after this book came out. How different it could have been if decisions were/are being made with out it. I have only be diagnosed for a few days now, but will try to take baby steps, as advised by authors, to make my best choices. I was very lucky to read "PCa for Dummies" first ,followed by others including Walsh's.

Prostate Cancer is really Greek in some ways and in so many areas, but I think one has to read the "Primer" selectively for specific questions or information as they pop up. A basic non-threatening book; e.g., the "Dummy" book wasn't nearly as great as the "Primer," but it made reading this book easier and truly meaningful.

I can only suggest that it be available in hardback, since I am sure it will wear out while I keep going back to it and showing it to others, including my doctors.

One immediate benefit was the fact that the doctor wanted to give me some hormone therapy in the wrong order. Such a mistake could make my cancer grow even faster! In some ways, I don't think I have a lot of time to look for answers, but I am now convinced that I will have made the best choices that I can. I hope this book becomes the true "bible" of those of us who live with, but not necessarily die from Prostate Cancer.


Absolutely The Most Complete Book On Prostate Cancer   May 7, 2003
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Dr. Stephen Strum and Donna Pogliano have written an excellent book which will guide both patient and physician, alike, to optimal care in the treatment of prostate cancer. Easy to read and understand, color coded for quick reference, basic and advanced information depending on the readers interest, it's all there. I use it as my prostate cancer bible and even carry it with me to PCa support group meetings. When discussions raise a question, we find the answer.

The dedication of these two people in producing a text of this quality will change the way men will be able to live with PCa and will impact the quality of life of those men who may eventually die from prostate cancer.


This is the   June 14, 2005
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

"A Primer on Prostate Cancer - The Empowered Patient's Guide" provides excellent insight into answering the many questions of the newly diagnosed or recurring Prostate Cancer patient. We recommend its review and strongly recommend that every Prostate Cancer patient purchase the "Primer" not only for himself but for his physician as likely the most authoritative and informative book available that explains the many aspects of Prostate Cancer treatment in medical terms that can be understood by both the layman patient and his attending physician. Dr. Strum and Donna Pogliano have provided us the procedures being practiced by those who specialize specifically in Prostate Cancer research and treatment and who are far ahead of their contemporaries in recognizing and understanding the latest innovations in Prostate Cancer therapy. Charles (Chuck) Maack, Program Director, Treasurer, Website Manager, Wichita, Kansas Chapter, Us TOO Intl., Inc. Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network. (...)


A message from Donna Pogliano, one of the co-authors:   September 23, 2003
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

To our readers in celebration of the Primer's first anniversary:

I found this study done recently in Ireland and I felt it was important enough to share with you.

Citation: European Journal of Cancer Supplements; Vol. 1, No. 5,
September 2003, page S334

U. Courtney

ARC Cancer Support Centre, Dublin, Ireland

"Patients react to a cancer diagnosis with a variety of emotions including shock, anger, guilt, denial, anxiety and depression."
(SNIP)
"Information is a basic form of support. Correct and adequate information is essential to helping patient and family adapt to a diagnosis of cancer and develop coping skills. Studies suggest that patients who receive good information are more satisfied with their care and demonstrate lowered levels of anxiety and depression."

When I started the Primer project in March, 2000, I wanted to offer support to prostate cancer patients that goes beyond sympathy. I hope that you find what you need in our book, both in terms of reliable information, and in terms of giving you the confidence that you need that the decisions that you are making are the right ones for you. This confidence is essential to achieving not only triumph over the physical aspects of the disease, but also to finding the emotional comfort that you will need to sustain you in the months and years after treatment for prostate cancer, and indeed, that you will need to have for the rest of your life in order to be healed of your disease in body, mind and spirit.

The study quoted above underscores the role of good information in coping with a diagnosis of cancer. In the Primer, Dr. Strum and I have tried to outline a strategy of disease management that is designed to optimize outcomes for the patient and his loved ones. It is our hope that our book will help patients to become empowered, to take responsibility for and authority over their own outcomes based on education and knowledge of the consequences and contingencies involved in their own disease management decisions, and that this focus will provide the uplifting energy that will sustain them in the face of crisis.

We wish you low PSA's and may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Donna