The Prostate Monologues: What Every Man Can Learn from My Humbling, Confusing, and Sometimes Comical Battle With Prostate Cancer

There's no question that if you have prostate cancer or have reasons for concern, if you are the spouse of someone,or know someone, this book is a must read for information, insights, experiences, and problem-solving help. It's an extraordinary book that takes you through the turmoil of decision-making, fear, and courage required to find the right course of action.Jack McCallum pulls no punches, sugar-coats nothing, and infuses his book with all the humanism, skepticism, and witticisms that dealing with a truly scary health issue demands.I don't know anyone with prostate cancer other than Jack, who shed his. But I know plenty of people with other cancers and medical conditions of all kinds. The revelations about the mind-boggling path of medical decision-making that Jack reveals in his book are universal. You don't have to have prostate cancer to be paralyzed by your treatment options, statistics about your chances of recover, old v. new medical technologies and their appropriateness for you.Jack reminds us that doing our own research is essential,including those options and the expertise of the doctors and hospitals taking care of us. He reminds us we need the support of family and friends. We need to talk to people who have received the treatments we're considering and to learn from them.This book reads like a conversation over coffee with an old friend. Nothing is off limits, the banter creates much needed comic relief, and the facts presented without bias--no scare tactics--just uncluttered information. Jack is a terrific journalist, a talented author, and authentic all the way.

Jack, I'm 63 and my PSA began rising at 48. Doctor recommended a biopsy at 50 and I refused it. He told me I was crazy. Eight months ago with a PSA at 6.4 I had an MRI guided biopsy with 3 cores positive two at 3 plus 3 and one at 3 plus 4 which was 80% compromised. I had Focal Laser Ablation done because it left my options of radiation or surgery open. My PSA has dropped to 3.6 and next month I have a follow up MRI.I say all that to say this....I have read many books on the prostate over the last 13 years. (I did active surveillance without a biopsy...I'm a melanoma survivor as well). Your book was THE most informative, engaging, easy to read that I've read. Being from the south, when you were praising the NYT, I thought to myself that I'd never finish the book....you most assuredly took a true journalistic approach and produced a must read for anyone in our club.

Mr. McCallum was frustrated when he got his diagnosis of prostate cancer. Everybody had an opinion; they all were thrust at him with great conviction; and few people were around to present a balanced view. So he set out to write a balanced book. He doesn't quite succeed - he opted for surgery and seems to slide past the fact that he doesn't know if he's one of the over-treated multitude or not. That said, he presents a lot of information and lets the proponents of various points of view speak for themselves. It still comes out sounding like, "If you've got cancer, get it the hell out of your body as fast as possible." It sounds compelling to some, but we know that many men would be much better served to leave their prostate cancer alone. The rub, of course, is that we're not good at telling which individual man falls into which category. So chalk one up for McCallum's view. Definitely worth reading. And as I recall, he also offers lots of references if you want to delve deeper.

When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer I read a few books and searched the internet for information. What you soon find out, and this book does a good job of presenting, is the variety of points of view about the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. The author, a prostate cancer patient himself, presents all of the different points of view in a balanced and thorough way. He also adds some humor and perspective for those of us facing decisions related to prostate cancer. An up-to-date review of the issue of PSA testing and concerns of over treatment is included. Background of the various treatment options is provided from some of the leading urologists that have pioneered the different treatments. The book also includes extensive references to other books and web sites.

Any man with a prostate should read this fine, humorous book. It became my initial reference and my continual guide during my personal cancer trip. Test or not, knife, robot, wait, radiate--all these are presented along with doctors' and experts' views on the gland and its treatment options. Jack McCallum also presents numerous men's varied treatment and results in a successful effort to illustrate individual choices and consequences. I'm 1.7 ounces lighter and essentially cancer-free thanks to the decisions made after reading this terrific book.

A quick read with all of the relevant topics.

At some point nearly all males will confront an elevated PSA and prostrate issues. McCallum provides a valuable overview of the various alternatives and the issues we'll need to face, as well as an illumination of the pros and cons surrounding the decisions we'll have to make individually. The humorous treatment of this anxiety producing condition makes it a must-read for males and their significant others.

Jack McCallum's book is a must read if you have any issues with your prostate. The book is well researched, educational, funny, and gives a voice to all sides of the debate. It absolutely helped me make up my mind as to what to do regarding the treatment option I chose.

This book has lots of info and they are provided by someone who has "been there".