Radical: The Science, Culture, and History of Breast Cancer in America

I have read a lot about breast cancer since my diagnosis in March (research is my go-to for managing anxiety!) and while I've read a lot of great stuff, there aren't a ton of things that I would recommend for a general non-breast-cancer-experiencing audience. This is one of those things. Pickert is a science journalist who faced an unexpected and dire breast cancer diagnosis at age 35. After her surgery and treatment, she was compelled to dig into the world of breast cancer and interpret it as a professional journalist. The result is an extremely readable book that combines historical research, contemporary interviews, and Pickert's personal experience into a look at where we are in our understanding and experience of breast cancer as a show more culture, as well as how we got there.

In one of the most educational (and uncomfortable) chapters Pickert digs into the history of the mammogram and the controversies over how often they should be done and when you should start. This is an uncomfortable topic because it pits breast cancer survivors and the fear of a breast cancer diagnosis against a scientific community with statistics showing that, for many women, a mammogram either doesn't catch their cancer (*raises hand*) or ends up subjecting women to surgeries, harsh chemotherapy and radiation treatments, stress, and financial burdens that, in bulk, don't extend their lives. The idea of not checking for cancer as much as possible freaks me out, but the argument that our reliance on mammograms (and the medical establishment's extreme investment in the technology) is keeping us from better, more individualized systems of cancer detection, is pretty thought provoking.

Ever wonder how chemotherapy was invented? Where that fucking pink ribbon came from? How new drugs are invented, tested, and approved? What breast cancer surgery was like in the 1800s? (spoiler alert: freaking terrifying.) This is the book for you! Get a copy now! show less

Excellent investigation of, as the title says, the science, culture and history of breast cancer; made easier to read by interspersed accounts of the author's own breast cancer. A good book for someone newly diagnosed or going through treatment.

Kate Pickert is a science journalist who received a diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 35 in 2014. This book is the result of the application of her professional skills to the topic once she was treated. The subtitle is "the science, culture, and history of breast cancer in America" and she covers those areas well. Published in 2019, there have been some advances in breast cancer care since then but the book is still timely and topical.

The chapters move through the topics of screening, diagnosis, the culture surrounding the pink ribbon, fertility sparing treatment, the evolution of chemotherapy, surgery, reconstruction, metastatic disease, and life after cancer treatment.

The text moves through historical citations and interviews show more with leaders in cancer care and research as well as patients with various breast cancer diagnoses and scenarios. She doesn't comprehensively cover the various types of breast cancer, but makes it clear that breast cancer is not one disease and that each manifestation requires a different treatment approach.

She covers the subject well with easily accessible language. Highly recommend. show less