Understanding Cancer: A Patient's Guide to Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment.

C. Norman Coleman is an American Cancer Society Professor and Chairman of the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy at the Department of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School. He is involved with cancer patients both as a clinician and a researcher. He is extensively experienced in the many aspects of medicine and oncology. He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. He recognizes, however, that much of what he learns comes from the patients themselves. He has learned that "Achieving success in cancer care is best done with the patient as an integral part of a partnership." He believes that optimum results are achieved when patients take an active role in their treatment, making informed decisions together with their physicians. He thus wrote this book to arm patients with the knowledge they need to achieve this goal. Dr. Coleman states: "I wrote this guide for you and your family, so that you can be active partners with your health care providers."