Questions for Dr. Richard Frank, author of Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope: A Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers

Why did you write Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope?
When a person hears that they have cancer, their world comes to a halt. They are immediately overcome by fear—fear of a dreaded illness, fear of toxic treatments, even a fear of death. They will seek advice from friends and family, surf the internet, and investigate doctors, hospitals and treatment options. But, it is all new information and often overwhelming. As a result, an acute lack of control sinks in and a great fear of the unknown. So, there is an immediate and urgent need for accurate information, for a resource that imparts essential knowledge and realistic hope, offering a sense of control and empowerment. This book, I believe, will deliver these things.

So is the book mainly for those newly diagnosed with cancer?
It is for cancer survivors at all stages, yet it is also for the many individuals and professionals who care for cancer patients and want to better understand the biology and treatment of the disease.

What makes this book different from other books on cancer?
What makes this book unique is that it is personal. I include real-life cancer situations drawn from my practice, and I also talk about how I personally cope and feel about trying to help people through very challenging times. Patients really do want to know what their doctors are thinking—I give them some insight into that. Also, strategies for retaining hope in the face of adversity are another important focus of the book.

You mention that you included some people's personal stories in this book—not what you'd typically expect from a guide. Why?
Cancer affects people. They have real lives, families, jobs, joys and dreams. Presenting individual cases in this way is a good way to illustrate the different courses an illness can take, or how people deal with it in different ways. Many people will be able to relate to other people's experiences, and realize that they're not alone.

What are some of those common experiences?
Many people want to know "Why me? Why did I get cancer?" I devote an entire chapter to discussing the aspects of our environment, such as the food we eat and air we breathe, as well as our own individual genetic makeups, that contribute to the development of cancer. Another feeling shared by those affected by cancer is one of isolation, that there is no one they can turn to that really understands how they feel. The truth is that there are very experienced and caring professionals and former patients willing to help ease the fears that everyone with cancer experiences. One need only to reach out for this help; but that is sometimes a very big step for some people to take.

You encourage your patients to visualize cancer treatments at work. Why is this helpful?
Visualizing cancer being rubbed out and the body healing will be empowering and imparts a greater sense of control over the disease. The illustrations in the book, by Gale Parsons, herself a breast cancer survivor, are included to help in this process.

You are donating a portion of the book's proceeds to CancerCare. Why are you doing this?
For me, it's very important to support the organizations that are really there for people with cancer and CancerCare is one of them, providing free supportive services to all and financial aid to those in need. So, at the very least, if someone buys this book and doesn't find it suits them, they can take some comfort in knowing their money helped support a worthy organization.