Synopsis
From childhood David Scadden had experiences of cancer which led him to a career as an oncologist and researcher of cancer. This book is his account of his experiences.
Review
Well it seems appropriate that my first review after starting my nursing degree is a review of a medical book.
I’ve read plenty medical memoirs before, and I would say they are fast becoming a favorite genre for me. Cancerland though is a bit different from the others.
At the beginning Scadden said that one of his aims in writing his memoir was to increase peoples’ knowledge of cancer. His book certainly succeeded in this aim. I hadn’t realised quite how complex cancercare is, or how frustrating research can be- especially with the media shouting about ‘miracle cures’.
However it didn’t quite hold the personal element that I expect from these types of books. You read little about his patients or his family life, especially once he has become a doctor. That makes it somewhat harder to connect with. It was interesting seeing how he got into medicine however, and I did find it interesting on an intellectual level.
If it’s your first foray into medical memoirs I probably wouldn’t start with this one, but if you want to read more of them then this is a good one to go for for a wider experience.
3/5
Buy it:
Kindle (£10.44)
Hardback (£21.99)
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