No Family History

The role of economics in determining what we know and what we don't know about breast cancer comes to life in No Family History: The Environmental Links to Breast Cancer. Read this book to get to the root of what we face in ending the breast cancer epidemic. -- Barbara A. Brenner, executive director, Breast Cancer Action What sociologists do best is help us understand how society shapes human beliefs. The society of breast cancer is chock full of beliefs-about genes, chemicals, cures, female beauty, and the value of early detection. It's about time that a thoughtful sociologist shined a light on this dark and terrifying landscape and turned over a few rocks. No Family History is an important corrective to pink ribbons and positive thinking. -- Sandra Steingraber, Scholar in Residence, Ithaca College No Family History shows us ordinary people discovering the extraordinary truth of how to prevent most cancer. It forces us to ask the crucial questions: Who profits from causing, detecting, and treating cancer? Why do we hear so much about the search for a cure, and so little about preventing cancer in the first place? * Gloria Steinem * This eye-opening book from health and sociology scholar McCormick explores numerous environmental causes of breast cancer, but more importantly casts a harsh light on the motivations of industries that donate to cancer research while manufacturing carcinogenic toxins....McCormick's text is full of disturbing details, in the form of statistics and individual obstacles. * Publishers Weekly * McCormick presents a convincing argument for changing the nature of the breast-cancer-awareness campaign from finding a cure to teaching more about prevention. Plenty of studies are cited to support her claims....The evidence is there, and it's compelling. As much a call to action as an informative thesis, the book provides a wealth of resources for anyone interested in learning more about the issue. * Booklist * This book details the struggles and achievements of survivors who have forced their way into the scientific discussion and helped bring some accountability to manufacturers. This book is unique in its look at the activists and their demands for a refocus in breast cancer research. Researchers, activists, and politicians, take note. * Library Journal * New ways of reducing breast cancer rate accompany a powerful survey weaving personal experience with political conflicts and health concerns. Any health or general lending library should have this! * Midwest Book Review *