Contemporary Issues Companion - Cancer (hardcover edition)

From School Library Journal Grade 6-8-Beginning with a description of early cancer treatments (lye, arsenic, and medicine made from ground-up toads), Yount presents a clear yet concise explanation of how cancer cells develop and the different types of the disease. While offering information on the possible carcinogenic effects of food additives, smoking, pesticides, and even electromagnetic fields, she explains difficult concepts in simple terms. Diagnostic techniques and traditional and alternative treatment options are presented including chemotherapy, radiation, gene therapy, biofeedback, and reflexology. The illustrations hover between decorative and informative, consisting mostly of black-and-white photos of patients in different clinical settings. The book concludes with a list of organizations to contact for further information. An objective overview.