The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee

[Neoma]

Good book so far. Although, more depressing if you've been directly effected by cancer. But I think understanding the disease helps pull through any type of phobia of cancer that anyone has been exposed to over the years.

Anyone else read this? (If you're into Oprah's book club, this would have been one of the books apparently.)

[SheilaT]

1. Yes, I've read it, and no I have not been personally affected by cancer.

My genetic line is remarkably free of it.

What I appreciated the most about the book was how he carefully explained how it is that a cancer can eventually happen.

[Neoma]

2. I have 6+ relatives who has had or has cancer.

Not so sure that it's genetic though.

[SheilaT]

3. I think the genetics matter more in some kinds of

cancer than in others.

Perhaps there's a generalized genetic predisposition for cell growth to go crazy, which is more or less what cancer is.

All you can do is live as healthy a life as you can, get reasonable check-ups, and don't dwell on a lot of bad what-ifs.

[Neoma]

4. Well, my mom's cancer was environmental.

That's all I meant by that.