The Encyclopedia of Women's Health (Facts on File Library of Health and Living) - Hardcover

The volume provides more than 1,000 alphabetically arranged entries. Their length ranges from a line or two to multiple pages. The encyclopedia not only clarifies but it also empowers by offering women effective, no-nonsense tools. Within the Breast cancer entry, for example, is a table that asks, "If You Have Breast Cancer, Does Your Physician/Surgeon:"; completing that phrase is a checklist of 16 questions for patients to ask their health-care providers, such as "Use local anesthesia for a biopsy if a woman requests it?" and "Encourage patients to get a second opinion about alternative procedures?"

Several detailed black-and-white drawings clearly enhance the efficacy of accompanying text. There are also tables provided in several entries. Again, their presence is very helpful by vividly conveying an otherwise complicated message. "Basal Body Temperature Chart" and "The Menstrual Cycle" are two such tables.

Included as an appendix is a multipage resource section. Here may be found phone numbers and URLs for more than 150 organizations related to women's health, including the Black Women's Health Imperative, American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, Gay and Lesbian National Hotline, and the Vulvar Pain Foundation. All are carefully grouped under alphabetized topical headings. The comprehensive index is a reader-friendly tool.

Very useful for professionals and general audiences, including young adults, The Encyclopedia of Women's Health is recommended for all public library and consumer health collections. Scottie Wallace
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